
Class F \ 5^^ 



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A 




CONDENSED 






HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN, 



WITH A 



BIOGKAPHICAL SKETCH 



OF 



J. FENIMORE COOPER. 



' BY 



vt,-- 



EEY. S. TILIVERMORE, A. M. 




ALBANY : - 
J. MUNSELL, 78 STATE STREET. 
1862. 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1862, by 

S. T. LIVERMOEE, 

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the Northern 
District of New York. 



C.T,«l 



(^i^^n 



\ 



TO 



HORACE LATHROP, JR., M. D., 



OF COOPERSTOWN, 



THIS BOOK IS VERY AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED, 



BY 



THE AUTHOR 



PREFACE. 



X 



It is with diffidence that this volume is now offered 
to the public. And yet, the encouragement given to 
the author by competent advisers, and the earnest de- 
sire he has cherished to execute his task faithfully and 
with impartiality, inspire in him the hope of a charita- 
ble judgment from its readers whenever they may dis- 
cover apparent or real errors. 

The former edition of the Chronicles of Coo'perstoiDn^ 
although not containing the name of the author, is well 
known to have been written by J. Fenimore Cooper. 
Items of local interest which he omitted are now in- 
serted in notes, and lest these should too much encum- 
ber his work, a chain of incidents beginning at a point 
prior to his record, and subsequently parallel with it, 
is given in connection with the history as brought 
down from 1838 to the present. In doing this a care- 
ful examination of consecutive and cotemporaneous 
files of village newspapers, published weekly from 1795 
to 1862, has been made. At the same time, several 
citizens of vivid memory who have lived in Coopers- 



VI PREFACE. 

town over jBfty years, have been consulted, and also 
some standard works and state documents. 

Previous to its publication the manuscript of this 
book was submitted to several gentlemen whose scho- 
larship and acquaintance with the village enabled them 
to act as proper critics. Their suggestions and ap- 
proval have been obtained. Indeed very much is due 
to them for original matter, and, while we mention 
Mr. Gr. Pomeroy Keese as our principal assistant, the 
many others to whom we are indebted are thankfully 
remembered. 

The biographical sketch of Cooper is intended to be 
only a sketch — a few hastily arranged outlines of a 
portrait which it is hoped, at no distant day, some com- 
petent hand will perfect and bring to the view of the 
admirers of our eminent American novelist. 

He is not here commended because he was a writer 
of fiction, but rather for not descending to the grade 
of such demoralizing phantoms as are too often chased 
by novel readers, and for the purity of sentiment which 
many of his works contain. These, probably, difi"er 
materially from the books which Goldsmith had in 
mind when he said to his brother — " Above all things, 
let him never touch a romance or novel ; these paint 
beauty in colors more charming than nature, and de- 
scribe happiness that man never tastes. How delusive, 
how destructive are those pictures of consummate 
bliss ! They teach the youthful mind to sigh after 
beauty and happiness which never existed ; to despise 
the little good which fortune hns mixed in our cup by 



PREFACE. Vll 

expecting more than slie ever gave. Teach then, my 
dear sir, your son thrift and economy." 

Bryant's discourse on the Life, Genius, and Writ- 
ings of Cooper, is copied from Precaution, by per- 
mission of W. A. Townsend & Co., editors of the 
recent elegant edition of Cooper's novels, illustrated 
by Darley. 

Any errors that our readers may discover, if they 
will be so kind as to make them known to the under- 
signed, will be noted for correction in a future edition. 

S. T. LIVERMORE. 

CooPERSTOWN, June, 1862. 



Oa.vne.'b re^'^^ore v_oot>e-T. 



CHEONICLES OF COOPERSTOWN. 



« ■^ » » » 



INTRODUCTION. 

It is always desirable to possess authentic annals. 
The peculiar nature of American history, which com- 
mences in an enlightened age, renders that which is 
so desirable, in our case, practicable, and, with a view 
that posterity may know th-e leading facts connected 
with the origin and settlement of the village of 
Cooperstown, and that even the present generation 
may be set right in some important particulars, con- 
cerning which erroneous notions now prevail, as well 
as possess a convenient book pf reference, the following 
little work has been written. 

This book has been compiled with care, by consulting 
authentic public records, private documents, more es- 
pecially those in possession of the Cooper family, and 
living witnesses, whose memories and representations 
might be confided in. It is hoped no error has been 
admitted into its pages, and it is believed no essential 
mistake can be pointed out. Where the compilers 
have not found good reasons to credit their evidence, 
they have proceeded with caution, and made their 
statements with due reserve. 

A ivork of this character can not have a very exten- 
jsive interest, but it is thought it will have some with a 



10 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

county in wliicli its subject composes the seat of justice; 
and by those whose fathers were active in converting 
the wilderness around about us, into its present picture 
of comfort and civilization, no records of this nature 
can be regarded with indifference. 

The love of particular places, such as the spots in 
which we were born, or have passed our lives, con- 
tributes to sustain all the affections, and to render us 
better citizens and better men. This love is strength- 
ened and increased by familiarity with events, and as 
time throws its interest around the past, reverence and 
recollections add their influence to that of the natural 
ties. With a view to aid these sentiments, also, have 
our little labors been conducted. If those who come 
after the compilers of the Chronicles of Cooperstown, 
should do as much in their generation, they who in- 
habit the place a century hence, will, beyond question, 
be ready to acknowledge that in one essential duty they 
were not forgotten by their predecessors. 

In the early annals of this place there was a disposi- 
tion, as in all new countries, to exaggerate its growth, 
and various printed notices exist, by which its origin is 
stated to be several years too recent. These errors as 
well as several connected with deaths, &c., that exist 
even in the church registers, and other official docu- 
ments, have been carefully corrected in this book. In 
this respect, it is thought no more authentic accounts 
of the several subjects can be found. 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 11 



CHAPTER I. 

The site of the present village of Cooperstown, is 
said to have been a favorite place of resort with the 
adjacent savage tribes, from a remote period. The tra- 
dition which has handed down this circumstance, is 
rendered probable by the known abundance of the fish 
and game in its vicinity. The word otsego, ^'^ is 
thought to be a compound which conveys the idea of a 
spot at which meetings of the Indians were held. 
There is a small rock near the outlet of the lake, 
called the Otsego rock, at which precise point the 
savages, according to an early tradition of the country, 
were accustomed to rendezvous. 

In confirmation of these traditions, arrow heads, 
stone hatchets, and other memorials of Indian usao-es, 
were found in great abundance by the first settlers^, in 
the vicinity of the village. 

It is probable that the place was more or less fre- 
quented by Indian traders, for a century previously to 
the commencement of the regular settlement of the 
township ; but the earliest authentic account that ex- 
ists of any attempt, by any civilized man, to establish 
himself at this point, refers to a much more recent 
period. On the 22d day of April, 1761, letters patent 
were granted to John Christopher Hartwick f and 
others, for a considerable tract of land in this vicinity ; 
and Mr. Hartwick, being under the impression that 
his grants extended to the shore of the lake, caused a 

f In the first number of the Otsego Hercdd, published in 1795, is an article 
evidently prepared with care, stating that Otsego was originally the name 
ot the lake from which the town and county were named, and that the term 
among the aborigines signified not only a place of rendezvous but of 
Tnendty greeting. With them sago was the well known salutation, and 
literally meant, as yet, i. e. perhaps, still alive, or yet well. 

t He committed suicide with a razor, June, 1800. 



12 HISTORY OP COOPERSTOWN. 

clearing to be commenced not far from its outlet. Be- 
coming satisfied that he had passed the boundaries of 
his estate, this gentleman soon relinquished his posses- 
sion, and altogether abandoned the spot. This abortive 
attempt at settlement, took place about ten years before 
the commencement of the American war. 

It appears by documents in possession of the Cooper 
family, that Col. George Croghan, who was connected 
with the Indian department under the crown, obtained 
a conveyance from the Indians of 100,000 acres of land, 
lying north and adjacent to the before mentioned grant 
to 3Ir. Hartwick, and on the west side of the Susque- 
hannah river, and of the Otsego lake, as early as the 
year 1768. On the 13th of December of the same 
year, Col. Croghan gave a mortgage under the Indian 
deed, to William Franklin, Esq., governor of the colony 
of New Jersey, to secure the payment of £3000 ; which 
money, as appears by the same documents, was obtained 
by Governor Franklin of certain persons in New Jer- 
sey, in thebehalf of Col. Croghan, with a view to enable 
the latter to procure the regular title to the same lands, 
from the crown. This object was not effected until the 
30th of November, 1769, when letters patent were 
issued by the colonial government, granting the same 
tract to George Croghan and ninety-nine other persons ; 
there existing an order to prevent grants of more than 
a thousand acres at a time to single indviduals. 

On the 2d day of December, 1769, the ninety-nine 
other persons named as grantees in the patent, conveyed 
in three separate instruments their rights to George 
Croghan, in fee simple. These three conveyances, 
with the patent, still exist among the Cooper papers, 
and are unquestionably the first legal instruments con- 
veying real estate in the township of Otsego. 

On the 10th dav of March, 1770, Georoe Croohan 
gave a mortgage on that portion of the Otsego patent, 
as the aforesaid grant was then called, which has since 
been called Cooper's patent, for the further security of 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 13 

tlie payment of the said sum of £3000 ; both of which 
mortgages, with the accompanying bond, were regularly 
assigned to the jiersons already mentioned, as security 
for their advances. On the 23d day of March, 1773, 
judgment was obtained against George Croghan, in the 
supreme court of the colony of New York, upon the 
aforesaid bond. 

All the securities above mentioned, became vested 
in William Cooper and Andrew Craig of the city of 
Burlington, in the state of New Jersey, by various 
deeds of assignment, now in possession of the descend- 
ants of the former, as early as May, 1785. 

Mr. Cooper first visited lake Otsego in the autumn 
of 1785. He was accompanied by a party of survey- 
ors, his object being to ascertain the precise boundaries 
of the land covered by his mortgage and judgment. 

This party arrived by the way of Cherry Yalley and 
Middlefield, and first obtained a view of the lake from 
that mountain which has since been called the Vision, 
in consequence of the beauty of the view it then afi"ord- 
ed. Judge Cooper has been often heard to say, that 
on that occasion, he was compelled to climb a sapling, 
in order to obtain this view, and while in the tree, he 
saw a deer descend to the lake and drink of its waters, 
near the Otsego rock. In January, 1786, Mr. Cooper 
took possession of the property that has since been 
known as Cooper's patent, under a deed given by the 
sherifi* of JMontgomery county. 

It ought to be mentioned, that in 1784, Washington, 
then on a journey of observation, with a view to explore 
the facilities for an inland communication bv water, 
visited the foot of lake Otse2:o. We o-ive the letter in 
which he speaks of this journey, entire, in the hope 
that the opinions of this great man may draw public 
attention more closely to the subject of improving our 
natural advantages. 



14 HISTORY or COOPERSTOWX. 

Princeton, October 12, 1783. 

My Dear Chevalier'^ — I have not had the honor 
of a letter from you since the 4th of March last ; but 
I will ascribe my disajjpointment to any cause sooner 
than to a decay of your friendship. 

Having the appearances, and indeed the enjoyment 
of peace, without the final declaration of it, I, who am 
only waiting for the ceremonials, or till the British 
forces shall have taken their leave of New York, am 
held in an awkward and disagreeable situation, being 
anxiously desirous to quit the walks of public life, and 
under my own vine and my own fig-tree, to seek those 
enjoyments, and that relaxation, which a mind that 
has been constantly upon the stretch for more than 
eight years, stands so much in want of. 

I have fixed this epoch to the arrival of the defini- 
tive treaty, or to the evacuation of my country, by our 
newly-acquired friends; in the meanwhile, at the re- 
quest of congress, I spend my time with them at this 
place, where they came in consequence of the riots at 
Philadelphia, of which, doubtless, you have been in- 
formed, for it is not a very recent transaction. 

They have lately determined to fix the f)ermanent 
residence of congress, near the falls of Delaware ; but 
where they will hold their sessions, till they can be 
properly established at that place, is yet undecided. 

I have lately made a tour through the lakes George 
and Champlain as far as Crown point — then returning 
to Schenectady, I proceeded up the Mohawk river to 
Fort Schuyler (formerly Fort Stanwix), crossed over 
Wood creek, which empties into the Oneida lake, and 
afi"ords the water communication with lake Ontario; 
I then traversed the country to the head of the east- 
ern branch of the Susquehannah, and viewed the lake 
Otsego, and the portage between that lake and the 
Mohawk river at Canajoharie. 

* The Marquis de Chastellus. 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWX. 15 

Prompted by these actual observations, I could not 
help taking a more contemplative and extensive view 
of the vast inland navigation of these United States, 
from maps, and the information of others, and could 
not but be struck with the immense diffusion and im- 
portance of it, and with the goodness of that Provi- 
dence which has dealt her favors to us with so profuse 
a hand. Would to God we may have wisdom enough 
to make a good use of them. I shall not rest contented 
till I have explored the western part of this country, 
and traversed those lines (or a great part of them), 
which have given bounds to a new empire ; but when 
it may, if it ever should happen, I dare not say, as 
my first attention must be given to the deranged situ- 
ation of my private concerns, which ar-e not a little 
injured by almost nine years' absence, and total disre- 
gard of them. 

With every wish for your health and happiness, and 
with the most sincere and affectionate regard, 

I am, my dear Chevalier, your most obedient servant, 

George Washington.* 

It should also be stated, that the present site of 
Cooperstown is connected with an event of some inte- 
rest that occurred during the war of the revolution. 
An expedition having been commanded to proceed 
under the orders of Major General Sullivan, against 
the Indians who then dwelt in the vicinity of the Sen- 
eca lake, a brigade employed in the duty, under Brig- 
adier General James Clinton (the father of the cele- 
bi-ated De Witt Clinton), marched from Albany for 
that purpose. After ascending the Mohawk as far as 
Fort Plain, this brigade cut a road through the forest 
to the head of lake Otsego, whither it transported its 

* At this date, 1862, it is a matter of considerable interest to the citizens of 
Cooperstown, that they may converse with one of their oldest residents, Mrs. 
John M. Bowers, who, when a little girl, frolicked with the Father of his 
Country, and frequently sat upon his knee. Her memory is still clear, and 
4i£r cojiversational faculties extraordinarj:. 



16 HISTORY OF COOPERSTO'WN. 

boats. Traces of this road exist, and it is still known 
by the name of the Continental road. Embarking at 
the head of the lake, the troops descended to the out- 
let, where they encamped on the site of the present 
village. General Clinton's quarters are said to have 
been in a small building" of hewn loos, which then 
stood in what are now the grounds of the Hall, and 
which it is thought was erected by Col. Croghan, as 
a place in which he might hold his negotiations with 
the Indians, as well as for the commencement of a set- 
tlement. 

This building, which was about fifteen feet square 
and intended for a sort of block-house, was undoubt- 
edly the first ever erected on this spot. It was subse- 
quently used by some of the first settlers as a residence, 
and by Judge Cooper as a smoke house, and it was 
standing in 1797, if not a year later. It was then 
taken down and removed by Henry Pace Eaton, to his 
residence on the road to Pier's, where it was set up 
again as an out-house. 

There were found the graves of Uvo white men in 
the same grounds, which were believed to contain the 
bodies of deserters, who were shot during the time the 
troops were here encamped. These graves are sup- 
posed to be the first of any civilized man in the township 
of Otsego. All traces of them have now disappeared. 

As soon as encamped, the troops of Gen. Clinton 
commenced the construction of a dam at the outlet, 
and when the water had risen to a sufiicient heio-ht in 
the lake, the obstruction was removed, the current 
clearing the bed of the river of flood-wood. After a 
short delay, for this purpose, the troops embarked and 
descended as far as the junction with the Tioga, where 
they were met by another brigade, commanded by 
General Sullivan in person.* On this occasion, the 

* In the Gazetteer of New Yor'k, it is said : " The Indians upon the banks, 
witnessing the extraordinary rise of the river Rt midsummer, without any 
apparent cause, were struck with superstitious dread, and in the very outset 
were dislieartened at the apparent interposition oi the Great Spirit in favor of 
their foes." 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOAVN. 17 

Susquehannali, below the dam, was said to be so much 
reduced that a man could jump across it. 

Traces of the dam are still to be seen, and for many 
years they were very obvious.* At a later day, in 
digging the cellar of the house first occupied by Judge 
Cooper, a large h-on swivel was discovered, which was 
said to have been buried by the troops, who found it 
useless for their service. This swivel was the only 
piece of artillery used for the purposes of salutes and 
merry-makings in the vicinity of Cooperstown, for ten 
or twelve years after the settlement of the place. It 
is well and affectionately remembered by the name of 
the Cricket, and was bursted lately in the same good 
cause of rejoicing on the 4th of July. At the time of 
its final disaster (for it had met with many vicissitudes 
by field and flood, having actually once been thrown 
into the lake), it is said there was no very perceptible 
difference in size, between its touch-hole and its 
muzzle. 

In addition to the foregoing statement, we are en- 
abled to make the following brief history of the title 

* The last of the logs of that dam were removed on the 2Gth of October 
1825, while the entire state of New York was more jubilant, perhaps, than 
ever before or since, and cannon, placed a few miles apart, from Buffalo to 
Albauj', and thence to Sandy Hook, were proclaiming that Gov. Clinton had 
entered the first canal boat at Buffalo, and was on his wav to New York. 

The ceremonies of removing the relics of the military dam (built by the 
father of Gov. Chnton), were too amusing for description at this day. They 
were the commencement of the Susquehanna canal, then contemplated. 

A large number of villagers and townsmen were assembled. Boat horns 
(sometimes called canal horns), six feet long, or thereabouts, typical of thi 
long ditch were then common. One was had on this occasion, and consti- 
tuted the martial music of the multitude, who were mustered somewhat after 
the order of a brigade. One company, consisting of o\er forty men with whed- 
barroics and sliovels. known as sappers, miners and excavators, command- 
ed by Capt. AVilliam Wilson (now living), marched with their comrades boldly 
to the scene of action. Lawrence McNamee, president of the day, personating 
Gov. Chnton, threw the first shovelful of dirt. 

A piece of this dam is said to be preserved in a museum in New York city. 

After the removal, the procession were marched into the village, and were 
there addressed by Samuel starkweather, Esq.. during all of which proceed- 
ings a nine pounder upon the top of Mount Vision, at regular intervals, 
told the hills and valleys around that Cooperstown was rejoicing. 

The following interesting and authentic incidents of Clinton's encampment, 
are from the History of the Border Wars, by Simms : 

On arriving at the foot of the lake, the troops landed and remained several 
weeks until It was sufficiently raised by a dam, constructed at the outlet to 
float the boats. When a sufficient head of water was thus obtained, the boats 
having been properly arranged along the outlet and filled with troops, stores 



18 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

to this tract of land, believing it may have interest 
with those who hold real estate within its limits. In 
this account, we include some matter foreign to the 
direct title, as explanatory of the whole. 

On the 30th November, 1769, letters patent were 
issued, granting one hundred thousand acres of land 
to George Croghan and ninety-nine other persons, as 
has been already stated. 

December 2d, 1769, the ninety-nine other patentees 
conveyed, in three separate instruments, to George 
Croghan in fee. 

On the 10th March, 1770, George Croghan mort- 
gaged 40,000 acres of the above grant to William 
Franklin, as further security for the money borrowed 
to pay the fees, or the debt due the persons who were 
called the Burlington company. This mortgage in- 
cluded the present site of the village. 

On the 12th March, 1770, George Croghan mort- 
gaged 20,000 acres, being half of the above mentioned 

and cannon, the dam was torn away, and the numerous Jleet of smjxll fry (208 
boats) floated off in fine style-. 

It is said that preparatory to opening the outlet of the lake, a dam, made by 
the sagacious beavers on one of the larger inlets, which flooded considerable 
ground, was partially destroyed to obtain the water. But the night following 
the dam was repaired by the' industrious animals. A more effectual destruc- 
tion followed, and a guard of men was stationed all night to prevent its being 
rebuilt by its lawful owners. 

While the army were quartered at the outlet of Otsego lake, two men were 
tried for desertion and sentenced to be shot. The younger of the two, whose 
name was Snyder, was pardoned by Gen. Clinton. The other man was a for- 
eigner, who had previously deserted from the Bi'itish, and having now deserted 
from the American flag, and persuaded Snyder to desert, Clinton said of him, 
" He is good for neither king nor country, let him be shot." The order was 
executed on the west side of the outlet, not far from the lake. Not a house 
had then been erected where Cooperstown now stands. 

Among the men who aided in our glorious struggle for independence^was a 
regiment of blacks, who generally iiroved to be good faithful soldiers. That 
they might readilj^ be distinguished they wore wool hats with the brim and 
lower half of the crown colored bJack, the remainder being left drab or the 
native color. 

While waiting for Otsego lake to rise, the troops were drilled every day. 
As Col. Rigne was thus engaged witii his own and parts of several other regi- 
ments, among whom were one or two companies of black soldiers, one of the 
latter men, from inattention, failed to execute a command in proper time. 

" Halloo !" said the colonel, " You black son of a , wid a wite face! Whj^ 

you no mind your beezness?" This hasty exclamation in broken English so 
pleased the troops, that a general burst of laughter followed. Seeing the men 
mirthful at his expense, he good humoredly gave the command to order arms. 
'• Now," said he, '"laugh your pelly full, all I" and joining in it himself, hiU 
and dale sent back their boisterous merrimenlr. 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 19 

40,000 acres, to Thomas Wliarton, to secure another 
debt of £2,000. 

On the 26th October, 1770, John Morton obtained a 
judgment of a large amount against George Croghan. 

On the 22d March, 1773, judgment was obtained 
against Greorge Croghan, for the debt due on his bond 
to William Franklin. 

On the — April, 1775, George Croghan, William 
Franklin, Thomas Wharton and John Morton entered 
into an agreement, in writing, that the 40^000 acres of 
land should be sold under the two judgments, and that 
the proceeds of the sale should go, firstly, to pay the 
judgment held by William Franklin ) secondly, to pay 
the mortgage held by Thomas Wharton ) and, thirdly, 
to pay the judgment held by John Morton ; or as much 
of each, according to the priority of the debts and se- 
curities, as there should be assets. This agreement 
was never complied with, in consequence of the war of 
the revolution. 

On the 20th December, 1775, William Franklin and 
his wife assigned the mortgage of George Croghan, on 
the 40,000 acres, and all the securities connected with 
it, to five of i\\Q original lenders of the money, for their 
several shares of the debt, the remaining three accept- 
ing lands elsewhere for their claims; the amount of 
the shares of these five assignees being £1,500, New 
Jersey currency, with interest from the date of the 
bond. 

On the 3d April, 1780, George Croghan conveyed 
in fee, 25,477 acres of the above mentioned 40,000, 
including the site of Cooperstown, to Joseph Wharton, 
subject to the two moi^tgages, for the consideration of 
£9,553, Pennsylvania currency; Mr. Wharton being 
induced to accept this land for a debt of that great 
amount, in consequence of Mr. Croghan's being unable 
to pay him in any other manner. 

On the 26th June, 1780, George Croghan conveyed, 
in fee^ the remainder of the same tract, to Joseph 



20 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 



« 



Wharton, for the consideration of £100, this being all 
the land in the Otsego patent that he had not conveyed 
in fee, previously to granting the two mortgages, and 
of course all that was subject to them. 

By several deeds poll, made between the years 1776 
and 1785, all the rights of the orio-inal lenders of the 
aforesaid sum, with the interest on it from 1768, in the 
several bonds, in the judgment of 1773, and in the oldest 
mortgage, were vested in William Cooper and Andrew 
Craig of Burlington, New Jersey. 

On the 14th January, 1786, all the lands of George 
Croghan that were subject to the judgment of 1773, 
and which lay in the Otsego patent, being in amount, 
as near as might be, 29,350 acres, were conveyed by 
Samuel Clyde, sheriff of Montgomery, to William 
Cooper and Andrew Craig, as judgment purchasers, 
under the judgment aforesaid, for the sum of £2,700, 
leaving a balance of £1, 139,8s. unpaid, and which has 
never been satisfied since. 

On the 8th December, 1786, Joseph Wharton, for 
the consideration of $2,000, conveyed in fee, all his 
right to the land in question, to William Cooper and 
Andrew Craig, then in actual possession of the same as 
judgment purchasers and mortgagees. 

On the 12tli November, 1787, Augustine Prevost 
and Susannah Prevost, for the consideration of $1,250, 
released their right to the equity of the redemption of 
the mortgage on the whole 40,000 acres, to William 
Cooper and Andrew Craig; the said Susannah Pre- 
vost being the natural daughter and devisee of Greorge 
Croghan. 

On the 16th January, 1788, William Cooper paid 
for quit rents on the said land, the further sum of 
£631. 3s. 

On the 26th October, 1799, William Cooper paid 
$7.35 for commutation of quit rents, on the village 
plot, containing then 112 acres of land. 

The patent of 1769, signed Clarke; the deeds from 



HISTORY or COOPERSTOWN. 21 

the ninety-nine other patentees to George Croghan; 
the bond of Croghan to Franklin ; that of Franklin to 
the Burlington company; the mortgage of Croghan to 
Franklin, with the assignment by latter to the unpaid 
members of the company; all the mesne conveyances 
of the same to William Cooper and Andrew Craig; the 
deeds of Croghan to Joseph Wharton, and the deed of 
Wharton to William Cooper and Andrew Craig; the 
release of Augustine and Susannah Prevost, and the 
certificates of payments of quit rents, together with seve- 
ral conveyances from Andrew Craig to William Cooper, 
exist still, among the papers of the Cooper family. 

The deed of the sheriff of IMontgomery county to 
William Cooper and Andrew Craig has been lost; sup- 
posed never* to have been returned from the county 
clerk's office; but it is recorded at Johnstown, and an 
exemplified copy exists among the other papers. 

There exists, among the same papers, a copy of a 
bill in chancery, of the date of 1786, at the complaint 
of William Cooper and Andrew Craig, setting forth 
that the parties to the agreement of 1775, refused to 
release to them according to the understood terms of 
that agreement, and that the said agreement was with- 
held from them to their injury, and praying relief in 
the premises. It is supposed that this suit was arranged 
by compromise, as the original agreement is 'now among 
the same papers. 

A copy of the assignment of the mortgage on the 
entire tract, under the Indian grant, also, is to be found 
among the same papers. 

As it may be a matter of curious history hereafter, 
we subjoin an account of what the 29,350 acres actually 
cost the proprietor under whom the country was settled. 

Amount of judgment, Jan. 14, 1786, £3,839.08 

Quit rents, .Jan. 16,1788, 631.03 

Consideration money paid Joseph Wharton,... 800.00 
do. do. Augustine and Susannah Prevost,.. 500.00 

£5,77011 
or $14,426.37J 



22 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

This sum, witli the sheriff's fees and other incidental 
exj^euses, would make the actual cost of the property 
about 50 cents the acre. 

Col- Croghan and his family received for the same, 
as follows : 

Debt to Franklin, £3,839.08 

Debt to Joseph Wharton, 9,553.00 

Paid his daughter, 500.00 

Pennsylvania currency, £13,892.08 

This is considerably more than 835,000. If the 
mortgage to Thomas Wharton be included, and it is 
believed the debt is unpaid to this day, it will amount 
to more than ^40,000, without interest, which is pro- 
bably five times as much as the property was worth on 
the day of George Croghan 's death. 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 23 



CHAPTER II. 

FROM 1780 TO 1799. 

In addition to the abortive attempt at a settlement 
by Mr. Hartwick, on the present site of the Tillage, 
between the year 1761 and 1770, Col. Croghan, with 
his family, resided for a short time on this spot. Ap- 
pended to one of the deeds of George Croghan to Joseph 
Wharton, is a map purporting to show the improve- 
ments of the lattter, at the foot of lake Otseao. but it 
is supposed that this map was made for effect, as all 
accounts agree in stating that in 1785, the improve- 
ments were very insignificant, consisting of the remains 
of a few log fences, a clearing away of underbrush, with 
felled and girdled trees. The block-house mentioned 
was the only building standing, and the place had been 
abandoned for years. 

Mr. Cooper commenced the settlement of his tract 
in the winter of 1786, many families coming in before 
the snow had melted. Deeds were given to Israel Guild 
and several others, who established themselves on spots 
that are now within the limits of the village, in the 
summer of that year. This was as farmers, however, 
rather than as villagers, it beino- the intention of Mr. 
Cooper, the proprietor who had the entire control of 
the property, and who so soon purchased the right of 
his associate that the connection of the latter with the 
place never was of any moment, to lay out the village 
plot in a line extending north and south, instead of in 
the direction it has actually taken. 

In June, 1786, John Miller, now the oldest living 
inhabitant of the villaji-e, as reo'ards residence, arrived 



24 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

at tliis place, accompanied by liis father. They reached 
the banks of the river at the outlet, where Mr. 3Iiller 
felled a large pine across the stream to answer the 
purposes of a bridge. The stump of this tree is still 
to be seen, within the grounds of Lakelands, and it is 
marked, in white paint, with the words Bridge tree. 
At that time most of the dam of Clinton was still re- 
maining. 

"When Mr. 3Iiller arrived, a widow of the name of 
Johnson, had the only resident family in the place. 
She lived in a log house, not far from the present stone 
dwelling of Mr. Pomeroy, though she was then build- 
ing a frame house near the same spot. This frame 
building was sold by 3Irs. Johnson to William Ellison, 
the well known surveyor, who removed it the same 
summer, to a position near the outlet, and on what are 
now the grounds of Edgewater. This was unques- 
tionably the first framed and otherwise regularly con- 
structed house in the village of Cooperstown, as the 
block-house was the first in logs. It was of respectable 
size, and of two stories, being intended for a tavern, 
to which purpose it was applied as soon as habitable. 
"William Abbott arrived in the summer of 1786, and 
established himself on the farm that still bears his 
name, about half a mile south of the village. Other 
persons came and went, and many settlers remained 
permanently in different parts of the patent. Mr. 
Cooper was here, once or twice, in the course of the 
season, but he did not cause any building to be con- 
structed. Mr. Miller remained, himself, but a short 
time. 3Iany persons were here during the summer of 
1786, among others James "White, but it is believed 
none passed the winter within the village plot, but the 
families of William Ellison. Israel Guild and Mrs. 
Johnson. The latter soon after removed, leavino- no 
descendants in the place. 3Ir. Guild took possession 
of the block-house. 

In the spring of 1787, more emigrants appeared- 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 25 



> 



Early in the season Mr. Cooper arrived, accompanied 
by his wife, who came however as a mere traveler. 
They reached the head of the lake in a chaise, and 
descended to the foot in a canoe. Mrs. Cooper was 
so much alarmed with this passage that she disliked 
returnino- in a boat, and the chaise was brought to the 
place, in'two canoes. In order that it might reach the 
eastern bank, and to serve the public generally, a 
bridge was built at the outlet, which was the first real 
bridge across the Susquehanna at this spot. This 
bridge was composed of log abutments, sleepers, and 
logs^laid across the latter. A road had been cut 
through the forest, following the direction of the lake, 
and coming out along the bank of Lakelands, at 
this bridge. It was, however, so rude and difficult to 
pass, that when the chaise left the village, men accom- 
panied it with ropes, to prevent it from upsetting. 

During the summer of 1787, many more emigrants 
arrived, principally from Connecticut, and most of the 
land on the patent was taken up. Until this season 
negotiations were going on among the different credit- 
ors of Col. Croghan to redeem this property, by pay- 
ing the claims of Messrs. Cooper and Craig, and taking 
assignments of the bonds and mortgages ; those gentle- 
men, though legally in possession of the estate, pre- 
ferring to receive the amount of their debt to keeping 
the securities. Being persuaded, however, that the 
land was scarcely worth the money, the creditors, by 
this time, had abandoned the intention, and Mr. Cooper, 
towards the close of 1787, began seriously to think of 
establishing himself permanently in this part of the 
country. With this view he commenced extending his 
possessions in the adjacent patents, and either by ar- 
rangements with the different great landholders, or by 
actual purchases, he soon had the settlement of a large 
part of the present county more or less subject to his/ 
control. The effects were very visible, for there is 
scarceh an instance of a more rapid growth of a dis- 

3 



26 HISTORY or COOPERSTOWN. 

trict, in any other part of a country so remarkable for 
advancement of this nature. When it is remembered 
that this extraordinary success was obtained in a region 
so difficult of access, one that is not easily tilled, and 
which has a severe climate, the energy and abilities 
that were employed, may be properly appreciated. The 
proprietor, however, was much favored by the salubrity 
of the air, the diseases usual to new countries having 
been scarcely known in this mountainous region. 
^ During the summer of 1787, several small log tene- 
ments were constructed on the site of the village, and 
arrangements were made by Mr. Cooper to erect a 
building for his own use, the succeeding season. Still 
there was no great accession to the permanent pojiula- 
tion, which at this time did not amount to twenty souls. 
The circumstance that neither Mr. Ellison nor Mr. 
Guild had children, and that Mr. Miller was not yet 
married, contributed to lessen the number of the inha- 
bitants. 

Early in 1788, the house of Mr. Cooper was erected, 
it being the second regular dwelling in the place. 
This house stood on Second street, facing Fair street, 
commanding a full view of the lake, and of course im- 
mediately in front of the present Hall. It was of 
two stories, with two wings, and a back building was 
added in 1791. The siding was of wide boards, beaded, 
but not planed. A very good representation of this 
house is to be seen on the original map of the village, 
where it is marked Manor House. It was removed 
a short distance down the street in 1799, and was 
\ destroyed by fire in 1812. 

In this year Mr. Cooper seems seriously to have set 
about the formation of a village, a plot being regularly 
laid out for that purpose. Agreeably to this plan, six 
streets were laid out in an east and west direction, and 
three tliat crossed them at right angles, in a north and 
south. The street along the margin of the lake was 
called Front street, and the others parallel to it were 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 27 

numbered from Second up to Sixth street. That next 
to the river was called Water street, and that at the 
opposite side of the plot, West street. The street 
between them, being divided into two parts by the 
grounds of Mr. Cooper, had two names, viz : Fair street 
and Main street. All these names are preserved, 
though Fifth street has never been opened, and one- 
half of Fourth street,* and about one-third of Main 
street, are also enclosed. 

The map, which is well made on parchment, like all 
similar documents of that period, has its base line on 
the west side of Water street, with its direction marked 
^' North, 20° East." The map is dated " 9^/i Month 
mtJi, 1788," or "September 26th, 1788," and was 
made by William Ellison. It is now among the Cooper 
papers. 

By a certificate -of the redemption of the quit rents 
on " the town plat of Cooperstown," dated October 26, 
1799, among the same papers, it would appear that the 
plat of the village as designed on this map, contains one 
hundred and twelve acres. 

In the autumn of this year, Israel Guild erected a 
small frame building of a story and a half, on what is 
now Second str^eet, about one hundred feet from the 
intersection with West street.f Mr. Guild had pur- 
chased the farm that here adjoined the village plat; 
all the land west of that point being without the j)ro- 
prie tor's plan for the town. This house was originallv 
in a lot ; it is still standing, being used as a bdkery and 
a hatter's shop, and it unquestionably' is now the oldest 
house in the place, the Manor House having been 

* The one south of and nearest to the Episcopal church. 

tAt that time no road passed Mr. Guild's house, in the direction of Fly 
creek. Second street then extended west only to the Eagle Hotel, or to what 
was then Mr. Guild's farm. The erection of a building where Lewis's Hotel 
now stands, on West street, was doubtless the cause of the narrowness of the 
west part of Second street, that building having been erected before the west 
pa>rt of Second street was opened. The location of Mr. Guild's house may have 
done somethieg to produce this bad. effect upon the village. 



28 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOAVN, 

-^ stroyed by fire, as mentioned, and tliat of Mr. Ellison 

ving been pulled down when the late Mr. Isaac 

loper built at Edgewater, or in 1812. Mr. Guild, 

ifwever, continued to live in the block-house until 

[89, John Howard, tanner, came this year and pre- 

Ared to commence his business, at the spot long known 

as the Tannery. 

Although the settlement of Cooper's patent com- 
menced early in 1786, the regular commencement of 
the village dates properly from 1788, for, while the 
idea of a town is older, it was not systematically 
planned until this summer.^ It follows that this year 
(1838), completes the first half century of the existence 
of the place. The name of Cooperstown, it is true, 
appears in one or two papers as early even as 1786 ; 
but the place was indiscriminately known by this appel- 
lation, and that of the Foot of the Lake, until the 
year 1791, when it became the county town. 

In 1789, Mr. Cooper finished his house and set up a 
frontier establishment. His eldest son, the late Rich- 
ard Fenimore Cooper, Mr. Charles Francis of Philadel- 
phia, Mr. Richard R. Smith of New Jersey, and several 
other gentlemen, were his occasional associates. The 
late Hendrik Frey of Canajoharie, was a frequent 
visitor, and the traditions of the festivities of the 
Manor House, during that and the succeeding years, 
are still agreeable to the lovers of good cheer. 
■^ The lake abounded with the most delicious fish, and 
Shipman^ Ih^ Leather Stocking of the region, could 
at almost any time, furnish the table with a saddle of 
venison. Among the laughable incidents that accom- 
panied the free manner of living, so peculiar to a 
border life, the following stories seem to be well 
authenticated. 

* In the Otseoo Herald, No. 27, it is said : " The Tillage of Cooperstown was 
begun in 1796. Now the storekeepers, innkeepers and owners of carriages pay 
lapwards of 36 pounds, duty and excise, to the revenue, per annum." 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 29 

In the course of tlie winter of 1789-90, ''^- during one 
of the periodical visits of Col. Frey, a large lumber 
sleigh was fitted out, with four horses, and the whole 
party sallied upon the lake for a morning drive. An 
ex-officer of the French army, a Monsieur Ebbal, re- 
sided by himself on the western bank of the lake. 
Perceiving the sleigh and four approaching his house, 
this gentleman, with the courtesy of his nation, went 
forth upon the ice, to greet the party, of whose charac- 
ter he was not ignorant, by the style in which it 
appeared. Mr. Cooper invited his French friend to 
join him, promising him plenty of game, with copious 
libations of Madeira, by way of inducement. Though 
a good table companion in general, no persuasion could 
prevail on the Frenchman to accept the offer that day, 
until provoked by his obstinacy, the party laid violent 
hands on him and brought him to the village by force. 

Monsieur Ebbal took his captivity in good part, and 
was soon as buoyant and gay as any of his companions. 
He habitually wore a long skirted surtout, which at 
that time was almost a mark of a Frenchman, and this 
surtout he pertinaciously refused to lay aside, even 
when he took his seat at table. On the contrary, he 
kept it buttoned to the very throat, as it might be in 
defiance. The Christmas joke, a plentiful board, and 
heavy potations, however, threw the guest off his 
guard. Warmed with the wine and the blazing fire, 
he incautiously unbuttoned ; when his delighted com- 
panions discovered, that the accidents of a frontier, the 
establishment of a bachelor who kept no servant, and 
certain irregularities in washing days, that were attend- 
ant on both circumstances, coupled with his empresse- 

* " In 1789 the article of bread was scarcely to be found in the count}'."— 
Otsego Herald. 

At about this time, perhaps earlier, according to one who has lived in Coopers- 
town over fifty years (Mrs. Capt. William Wilson), salt was so scarce in this 
region that a man went from FJy creek to the Mohawk to get a small quantity, 
but on finding none there to be sold, returned, begging a little from families 
on the way, and thus reached home with rock salt sufflcieat lo distribute 
among his neighbors, a handful here and a handful there. 



30 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

ment to salute his friends, had induced the gallant 
Frenchman to come abroad without a shirt. He was 
uncased on the spot, amid the roars of the convives, 
and incontinently put into linen. " Cooper was so po- 
lite," added the mirth loving Hendrik Frey, when he 
repeated this story for the hundredth time, "that he 
supplied a shirt with ruffles at the wristbands, which 
made Ebbal very happy for the rest of the night. 
Mein Gott, how his hands did go, after he got the 
ruffles 1" 

These wags told Monsieur Ebbal, that if chased by a 
bear, the most certain mode of escape, was to throw 
away his hat, or his coat, to induce the animal to stop 
and smell at it, and then to profit by the occasion, and 
climb a sapling that was too small to enable his enemy 
to fasten its claws in it, in the way it is known to ascend 
a tree. The advice was well enough, but the advised 
having actually an occasion to follow it the succeeding 
autumn, scrambled up a sapling first, and began to 
throw away his clothes afterwards. The bear, a she 
one with cubs, tore to pieces garment after garment, 
without quitting the spot, keeping poor Ebbal treed, 
throughout a cool autumnal night, almost as naked as 
he was when uncased at the celebrated Christmas ban- 
quet. It appears that the real name of this person was 
Jj'Ahbe de Raffcourt. 

During the winter of 1789-90, Mr. Cooper had a 
stock of goods brought into the village, Mr. R. R. 
Smith, doing the duty of the merchant. This was the 
first store established in the place, and was of great ser- 
vice to the settlers. Up to this period, the latter had 
been compelled to go to Canajoharie to make their jDur- 
chases. Even later, they were obliged to go that dis- 
tance to find a mill, not un frequently carrying their 
grists on their shoulders. The distance, it will be re- 
membered, is twenty-five miles. 

October the 10th, 1790, Mr. Cooper first brought his 
family to Cooperstowu, giving up his residence in New 



' HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 31 

Jersey entirely. From this time, dates the steady and 
progressive growth of the village. There exists a 
document to show that in 1790, Cooperstown contained 
seven framed houses, three framed barns, and thirty- 
five inhabitants. It is supposed that this enumeration 
of the inhabitants was made previously to the arrival 
of the family of Mr. Cooper, as that family alone, with 
its inmates and domestics, amounted to about fifteen 
persons. It is also supposed, that the houses, three or 
four in number, that stood without the old village plat, 
like that of Mr. Guild, the Tannery, &c., were not 
included. The house standing at the southeast corner 
of Second and Water streets, and which for the last 
forty years, has belonged to the Ernst family, was 
erected this summer by Mr. Benjamin Grifiin. It is 
now the second oldest house in the village. 

February 16th, 1791, the county of Otsego was 
formed, and Cooperstown was designated as the county 
town, Mr. Cooper being appointed the first judge 
of the county court. A Court House was built at the 
southeast corner of West and Second streets. It was 
thirty feet square ; the lower story, which contained 
four rooms, being used as a jail, and the whole of the 
upper story, as a court room. The lower story was 
built of squared logs, and the upper of framed work. 
The entrance to the court room was on the north front, 
two flights of steps on the exterior of the building, 
meeting at a platform before a door that opened into 
the air. 

The jury rooms were in a tavern occupied by the 
jailer, that stood on the same lot, and which was 
erected the same y^ear. The first sherifl" was Richard 
R. Smith, Esq., who being altogether superior to enter- 
ing into the lovfer duties of the ofiice, appointed 

Stephens, jailer. 

During this summer, the old Red Lion tavern, 
which projected half way across Second street, was 
erected, as was also the house at the corner diagonally 



32 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

opposite, now owned by Judge Russell. The two 
houses that stand third and fourth from the corner of 
West street, on the south side of Second street, were 
also erected this year, as were several others. The 
first lawyer who came to reside in the village, was Mr. 
Abraham Ten Broeck of New Jersey, and the second 
was Mr. Jacob Gr. Fonda of Schenectady ; both these 
gentlemen came in 1791. Mr. Joseph Strong, a native 
of Orange count}^, came a year or two later, and also 
Mr. Moss Kent, a brother of the celebrated Chancel- 
lor Kent. These four gentlemen were the first of their 
profession in Cooperstown. They all removed within 
the first twelve years of their residence, though de- 
scendants of Mr. Strono;, in the second and third "ene- 
ration, are still inhabitants of the place. Several stores 
were also set up in 1791, of which the principal was 
owned by Mr. Peter Ten Broeck. 

The first physician also appeared in the spring of 
this year; his name being Powers. Doctor Fuller 
so long and so favorably known, for a professional career 
that lasted forty-six years in the same place, arrived in 
June. In the course of the year, Dr. Powers was ac- 
cused of mixing tartar emetic with the beverage of a 
ball given at the Red Lion. He was tried, convict- 
ed, put in the stocks and banished for the off'ence ; 
this sentence, as a matter of course, terminating his 
career in this spot.- A Dr. Farnsworth came a year or 
two later, and Dr. Grott about the same time ; but for 
many years, nearly all the practice of the country was 
in the hands of Dr. Fuller, who is said to have been 
the medical attendant of more than two thousand 
births. 

There exists no positive information of the increase 
of the village during the year 1791, but it was rela- 
tively great, for the times. At the end of the year, 
Cooperstown certainly contained twenty houses and 
stores, and probably a hundred inhabitants. As most 
of the emigrants were young, their families were 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

necessarily small, which accounts for the feeble num- 
ber of the population. From this period, or for the 
last forty-six years, the place has been more gradual 
in its growth, the increase being steady and regular, 
and not subject to the sudden changes of more specu- 
lative neighborhoods. 

The first child born actually in the village was 
Nathan Howard, a son of John Howard ; and the first 
death was that of a son of Mr. Joseph Griffin, which 
took place October 11th, 1792. On the occasion of 
this death, a piece of ground was selected as a place 
of interment, near the junction of Water and Third 
streets, or where Christ Church now stands. 

The first child born on the patent was a son of Bill 
Jarvis of Fly creek. He was born in 1787, and was 
named after the proprietor, receiving fifty acres of land 
as a memorial of the circumstance. 

William Abbott had a son born previously to the birth 
of Nathan Howard, but he did not reside immediately 
in the village, although forming a part of the village 
community. The boy was called lleuben, from the 
circumstance of his being the first born. 

The first school was kept by Joshua Dewey, but it 
was not commenced until a year or two later. 



3-4 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 



CHAPTER III. 

FROM 1792 TO 1797. 

The village at the commencement of the year 1792, 
stood principally on Second street, with a house or two 
on Water street, one or two more on Front street, and 
a few on West street. The shops and taverns were col- 
lected in the vicinity of the four principal corners, where 
were also the Court House and Jail. It is evident to 
the geologist that water has once flowed over the site of 
the place, and originally many deep holes or hollows 
existed, which had the appearance of having been 
formed by powerful eddies, or currents. Most of these 
holes have disappeared, by leveling and filling up, but 
a few are still to be seen, especially in the grounds of 
the Hall, where they have been preserved as helping 
the ornamental walks, &c., &c. 

Some of these inequalities, of course, existed in the 
streets, and many persons still remember the place 
when there were considerable ascents and descents in 
them. Opposite to the present bank there was, as re- 
cently as the commencement of this century, a little 
rise in the road, and in West street, at the point near 
that where the present inclination commences, was a 
short, sharp pitch, down which vehicles had to descend 
with great care. Judge Cooper's barns, stables, &c., 
down to the year 1798 certainly, if not to a later day, 
were in the rear of the stone store that now belongs to 
Mr. J. II. Worthingtou, and they stood many feet below 
the level of the streets. Nor did the stumps disappear 
altogether from even Second street, which is the princi- 
pal avenue of the village, until the close of the century. 
The road to Fly creek diverged from the Hartwick 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 35 

road, near Howard's farm, and the narrow part of Se- 
cond street continued enclosed as part of the farm of 
Mr. Guild, until about the year 1795. 

Mr. James Averell was an early settler on the patent, 
having occupied the farm since known as the Howard 
farm, in 1787, but he exchanged with Mr. Howard this 
farm against the Tannery, and removed into the village, 
or rather into what is now the village, in the year 1792. 
Here, by his enterprise and industry, he raised the 
works in question into some of the most important of 
the sort that then existed in the newer part of the 
state. Mr. Averell soon became conspicuous for his 
habits of business, and subsequently was much connect- 
ed with the increase of Cooperstown and its vicinity, in 
wealth and industry. 

Between the years 1792 and 1797, Messrs. Wade, 
Stevens, Rensselaer Williams, Richard AVilliams, Nor- 
man Landon, Peter Ten Broeck and Le Quoy arrived 
and established themselves as merchants ; Mr. R. R. 
Smith relinquishing business, and going to Philadelphia 
where he was soon a partner in an extensive wholesale 
house. 

Mr. Wade was an Irishman by birth, and had 
served as a captain in the British army. He remained 
but a year or two, when he returned to New York. 
The present Major Wade of the United States army is 
his son. Mr. Stevens returned to Philadelphia also, in 
a few years ; but the Messrs. Williams continued their 
connection with the place, down to the periods of their 
deaths ', their collateral descendants and heirs still 
existing in Cooperstown. The Messrs. Ten Broeck 
returned to New Jersey, at the end of a few years. 
Mr. Landon died, and is interred in the old burying 
ground. 

Mr. Le Quoy excited a good deal of interest during 
his stay in the place, as he was a man altogether supe- 
rior to his occupation, which was little more than that 



36 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOAVN. 

of a country grocer ; an interest that was much in- 
creased by the following circumstance. 

Among the early settlers in Otsego county, was Mr. 
Lewis cle Villers, a French gentleman of respectable 
extraction and good manners. Mr. de Villers was in 
Cooperstown about the year 1793, at a moment when a 
countryman, a Mr, Renouard. who afterwards establish- 
ed himself in the county, had recently reached the 
place. Mr. Eenouard was a seaman and had the habit 
of using tobacco. Enquiring of Mr. de Villers where 
some of his favor?te article might be purchased, Mr. 
de Villers directed him to the shop of Mr. Le Quoy, 
telling him he would help a countryman by making his 
purchase of that person. In a few minutes Mr. 
Renouard returned iProm the shop, much agitated and 
very pale. Mr. de Villers inquired if he were unwell. 
" In the name of God, Mr. de Villers, who is the man 
who sold me this tobacco V demanded Mr. Eenouard. 
" Mr. Le Quoy, a countryman of ours.'' " Yes, Mr. 
Le Quoy de Mersereau." " I know nothing about the 
de 3Iersereau, he calls himself Mr Le Quoy. Do you 
know anything of him ?" " When I went to Martin- 
ique to be port captain of St. Pierre," answered Mr. 
Ronouard, " this man was the civil governor of the 
island, and refused to confirm my appointment." 

Subsequent inquiry confirmed this story, Mr, Le 
Quoy explaining that the influence of a lady had stood 
in the way of Mr. Renouard's preferment. 

The history of Mr. Le Quoy has since been ascer- 
tained to be as follows : When governor of Martinique 
he had it in his power to do a friendly office to Mr. 
John Murray of New York, by liberating one of his 
ships, Mr. Murray being at the head of the old and 
highly respectable commercial house of John Murray 
& Sons, then one of the principal firms of the country. 
This act brought about an exchange of civilities be- 
tween Mr. 3Iurray and Mr-. Le Quoy, which continued 
for a few years. When the French revolution drove 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 37 

Mr. Le Quoy from the island, lie repaired to New York, 
and sought his friend Mr. Murray, to whom he stated 
that he had a small sum of money, which he wished to 
invest in a country store, until his fortunes might re- 
vive. Between Judge Cooper and 3Ir. Murray there 
existed an intimacy, and the latter referred Mr. Le 
Quoy to the former. Under the advice of Judge 
Cooper, Mr. Le Quoy established himself in Coopers- 
town, where he remained more than a year. At the 
end of that time he made his peace with the new 
French government, and quitting his retreat, he was 
employed for some months in superintending the ac- 
counts of the different French consulates in this coun- 
try. It is said that he soon after returned to Martin- 
ique in his old capacity, and died the first season of 
yellow fever. When Mr. Fenimore Cooper was in 
France, the Comte d'Hauterive, who had been French 
consul general in America, at the period of Mr. Le 
Quoy's residence, spoke of the latter gentleman, and in 
part, corroborated this history of him. The following 
letter appears to have been written soon after he left 
Cooperstown, and at the moment he commenced his 
consular duties : 

Philadelphia, 10th Oct., 1794. 

Dear Sir — I have experienced too much of your 
friendship to believe you will not hear of my fate with 
some degree of concern. I am to go to Charleston in 
S. C, about some business which will kee'p me most all 
the winter. I hope for a more permanent employment 
than what I have at present; if not, I know where to 
fin^ peace, good business, good friends. I shall always 
consider you among the number. 

I wish you and all your family health and happiness, 
and I remain, dear sir, your most humble servant, 

F. Z. Le Quoy. 

MoNS. W. Cooper, in Cooperstown, Otsego county. 

4 



38 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN, 

Later letters show tliat Mr. Le Quoy did not quit 
this country until 1796. 

January 27th, 1795, Mr. James Barber, tailor, died 
of the small pox.* This was the first adult who died 
a natural death in the village. He lived in the laro;e 
old building which stands north of the dwelling of 
Mr. Lawrence McNamee, and which was erected the 
year before. But, Mr. Jabez Wight, cabinet maker, 
was drowned while bathing, near the outlet, August 
14th, 1794. This was the second death, in the place. 
The same year a child of Mr. Averell's was drowned, 
but not in the lake. All these persons were interred in 
Christ church burying ground, where their head-stones 
are still to be seen. 

During the first ten years of the existence of the 
village, the people depended entirely on chance for 
the little religious instruction they received. The emi- 
grants to the place, more particularly those who had 
any property, were singularly divided as to religious 
faith, the Presbyterians, though the most numerous sect, 
being the poorest. Missionaries occasionally penetrated 
to this spot, and now and then a traveling Baptist, or a 
Methodist, preached, in a tavern, a school house, or a 
barn. The first regular clergyman, who had any en- 
gagement to officiate in Cooperstown, was the Rev. Mr. 
Mosely, who was employed for six months. This was 
in the year 1795. He was a Presbyterian, and went 
away at the expiration of his engagement. 

In the way of schools, the village did a little better. 
It has been said that Joshua Dewey kept the first 
school. He was soon succeeded by Oliver Cory, who 
conducted the common school of the place, with com- 
* mendable assiduity and great credit to himself, for 
many years. Nearly all the permanent inhabitants of 
the village, who are between the ages of forty and 

*This disease has appeared several times in the Tillage: in April, 1834:, 
causing one death ; in April, 1848, two deaths; in Feb., I808, no death, and in 
Nov., I860, causing one death and much excitement. There were about twenty 
cases on the corporation. 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 39 

fifty-five, received their elementary instruction from 
this respectable teacher. Mr. Cory did not neglect 
religious instruction altogether, but every Saturday 
was devoted to this object. His care in this respect, 
as well as his lessons on deportment, were attended 
with the most beneficial results, and it is to be re- 
gretted that they have not been imitated in our own 
time. He kept his school originally in the Court House, 
and then in the first regular school house ever built in 
the place. This school house was a small wooden 
building that stood on the lot that is now occupied by 
the dwelling of Mr. Elihu Phinney. Subsequently 
Mr, Cory held his school in the Academy. 

Notwithstanding the apparent neglect on the subject 
of religion, which, in all probability, is to be referred 
more to the division in sentiment mentioned, than to 
any other cause, the people of Cooperstown showed 
great public spirit on the subject of establishing an 
Academy, a plan for which was started as early as 
1795- We subjoin the following copy of a subscrip- 
tion paper for that purpose, in proof of what we say, 
and which is still in existence, viz : 

" We the subscribers do severally undertake to contribute 
the sums opposite to our respective names, towards an acade- 
my in Cooperstown, for the county of Otsego. April 5th, 
1795. 

William Cooper, $725.00 James Averell, 50.00 

William Abbot, 40.00 Francis Henry, $5.00 

Huntington & Ingals,.. 25.00 Jabez Hubbell, 5.00 

Elisha Fullam, 7.50 Norman Landon, 45.00 

Jonas Perry, 2.50 Timothy Sabin, 3.75 

Lemuel Jewel, 2.50 Barnet Whipple, 5.00 

Thomas Fuller, 40.00 Bill Jarvis, 2.50 

Samuel Tubbs, 12.50 Moses Kent, 25.00 

Uriah Luce, 10.00 Peter Lambert, 7.50 

Joseph Holt, 10.00 Nathaniel Gott 12.50 

John Miller, 7.50 William Ellison, 12.50 

James White, .., 15.00 Stephen Ingals, 5.00 

James Gardner, 10.00 Abner Dunham, 6.25 

Nathan Davison, 5,00 E. Phinney, ,. 40.00 



40 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

Joseph Griffin, $42.50 Lewis De Yillers, $15.00 

John Howard, 30.00 Robert Riddle, 7.50 

William Cook, 25.00 Aaron Noble, 7.50 

Benjamin Griffin, 25.00 Matthew Rennet, 7.50 

Jacob Morris, 62.50 Isaac Stacy, 10.00 

Benjamin Gilbert, 30.00 Joseph N. Jones, 5.00 

Griffin Crafts, 30.00 Levi Wentworth, 6.25 



Total, $1,441.25 

The odd cents are from the subscriptions having 
heen in the old currency. This document shows seve- 
ral interesting facts. There are forty-two names, which 
makes an average subscription of more than $33 to each 
name ; and it may be doubted if any thing like such 
an average could now be obtained for any public object 
whatever. Of these forty-two names, twenty-three 
were then residents of the village, and considering the 
public spirit that prevailed, it is fair to suppose that 
this comprised at least two-thirds of the heads of fami- 
lies that were then to be found in the place. It will 
probably be safe to say, that Cooperstown contained in 
1795, about thirty-five families, and quite as many 
houses. As the heiids of families were generally 
young, an average of five persons to each family would 
be sufficiently high ; this would give a whole number 
of one hundred and seventy-five souls. If to these we 
add twenty -five for single persons, we get a total of 
two hundred for the population, which could not be 
far from the truth. 

The Academy was raised September 18th, 1795.* It 
was one of those tasteless buildings that afilict all new 
countries, and contained two school rooms below, a 
passage and the stairs ; while the upper stoiy was in a 
single room. Nothing superior to a common English 
education was ever taught in this house, all attempts 

* This Academy wns raised by TOO men selected for the purpose, and superin- 
tended by Mr. K. Robbias 

So larare a number of men was then needed on account of the great size of 
the timbers put into frames, and becaub'e of the want of conveniences for 
arising, which are now common. 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 41 

at classical instruction failing. This must be ascribed 
to the general want of means in the population, at 
the time ; the few who gave their children classical 
educations, usually sending them abroad for that 
purpose. 

The Academy, containing at that time the largest 
room in the place, was as much used for other pur- 
poses as for those of education. Religious meetings 
were generally held there, "as well as other large as- 
semblages of the people. The school exhibitions of 
Mr. Cory, in which Brutus and Cassius figured in hats 
of the cuts of 1776, blue coats faced with red, of no 
cut at all, and matross swords, are still the subject of 
mirth with those who remember the prodigies. The 
court on great occasions was sometimes held in this 
building, and even balls were occasionally given in it ; 
in short, it was a jack of all work, rather than of the 
particular work for which it was intended. 

Notwithstanding the failure as respects a classical 
school, the year was memorable for the establishment of 
another species of instruction, that probably was more 
useful to this particular community, at that early day. 
On the 28th of February, 1795, Mr. Elihu Phinney, a 
native of Connecticut, arrived in Cooperstown, bring- 
ing with him the materials for printing a newspaper; 
and on the 3d day of April of the same year, the first 
number of the Otsego Herald.^ or Western Advertiser^ 
a weekly paper, made its appearance. This was the 
second journal published in the state, west of Albany. 
We see by its title that, in 1795, it was considered a 
western print, whereas at the present day, Cooperstown 
is probably a hundred leagues east of the central jDoint 
around which journals are now to be found. 

By means of this print we are enabled to make the 
following curious statistical statement, by which the 
reader will obtain an insight into the actual condition 

* See Article on Newspapers. 



42 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

of the western part of this state at that time.* In 
1794, Judge Cooper was elected representative in con- 
gress, from a district composed of the counties of Mont- 
gomery, Herkimer, Tioga, Ontario, Onondaga and Ot- 
sego, as they then existed. His opponent was Mr. 
Winn of Montgomery, and the following is the result 
of the canvass : 

COOPER. WINN. 

Montgomery, 304 970 

Herkimer, 746 144 

Tioga, 89 88 

Ontario, 30 2 

Onondaga, 95 6 

Otsego, 1271 216 

Total, 2535 1426 

Here we see that the county of Ontario, at that time 
comprising so much of the state, gave but 32 votes, 
while Otsego gave 1487. The fact shows the great 
rapidity with which the latter county had been settled. 

A brewery was established in 1794, by two English- 
men, of the names of Mulcock and Morgan, but it 
was in advance of the country, and after a short ex- 
periment it failed. 

July 9th, 1795, a man named Porteus was flogged 
at the whipping post, for stealing some pieces of rib- 
bon. This was the first of two instances of the same 
punishment on the same spot. The whipping post and 

* A similar view may be obtained from the list of letters lying in the Post 
Office in Cooperstown, April 10th. 1795, a list published in the 2d No. of the 
Otsego Herald. Only a part of it is here given as a specimen : 

" Samuel Lane, on the Uelavifare Kiver. 

Roger Levitt, Unadilla. 

James F. Lequoy, Cooperstown. 

Alpheus & Thaddeus Loomis, Schuyler's Lake. 

John Matson, Cana.joharie or Cooperstown. 

David McFariand, Otsego. 

Arthur Maxwell, Tioga. 

John McCu'lock, Harpersfield." 

In 1795. the following notice was published in the Otsego Herald : 

""■John M. Hughs, Tailor, informs his friends in Otsego, Unadilla, Chenango, 
Burlington and Kichlield, that he carries on the above business, on the Sus- 
quehanna, six miles below Cooperstown," 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 43 

stocks stood nearly opposite tlie jail door, in West 
street, but on the west side of the street. Porteus 
was banished, as well as flogged, the former punishment 
being used in Cooperstown. It is to be regretted that 
it has fallen into disuse. 

By an article in the Otsego Herald of October 30th, 
it would seem that the year 1795 added much to the 
size of the place, no less than thirty buildings having 
been constructed that season. Many of these, however, 
were shops, offices and stores. Among others were the 
Brewery and Academy, already mentioned. The form- 
er stood near the present bridge, and is described as 
having been 83 feet in length, 25 feet wide, and 19 feet 
posts. The Academy was 65^^ feet long, 32 wide, and 
25 feet posts. The summit of the belfry was 70 feet 
from the ground. 

On the evening of the 20th November, 1795, a build- 
ing attached to the pottery of Mr. Joshua Starr, a re- 
spectable inhabitant of the village, was destroyed by fire. 
This is believed to be the first accident of the sort that 
ever occurred in Cooperstown. 

The mills that still exist on the Susquehannah, were 
erected by Mr. William Ellison, as early as 1792. 

It appears that the Rev. Elisha Mosely preached the 
first thanksgiving sermon in Cooperstown, on the 26th 
November, 1795, in the Court House. By the latter 
circumstance it would seem that the Academy, which 
indeed was only raised on the 18th September, had not 
been completed. It is also stated in the Otsego Herald, 
that in this year the village paid in excise, and through 
the inns and stores, &c., and by the duty on carriages, 
thirty-six pounds. The first carriage that was ever 
used in the place, was a phaeton of Judge Cooper's. 
This was in 1792. In 1795, he set up a chariot, which 
by the aid of four horses, was enabled to perform a 
journey from Cooperstown to Cherry Valley, between 
breakfast and supper. 

The first road to communicate with the lower coun- 



44 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

try, was that mentioned already as running along the 
eastern margin of the lake. Its course did not differ 
essentially from that of the present turnpike. A rude 
road existed previously to the revolution, from Cherry 
Yalley, as far as the Ingals farm in Middlefield, and 
this road was brought round the end of the Vision and 
into the village, about the year 1791. It followed the 
present margin of the forest, on the side of the moun- 
tain, until it reached the spot where Woodside now 
stands, when it traversed the present grounds of Lake- 
lands, diagonally, to the outlet. This end of the road 
was three times altered ; first, by bringing it down to 
the river a little below the mills ; secondly, by leading 
it more diagonally across the fields, and lastly, to its 
present route. 

A state road was laid out between Albany and Coop- 
erstown, in 1794, This road crossed the mountain, 
and descended the Vision by the line that is still used 
as a foot-path. A bridge was then first constructed, 
where the present bridge now stands. 

In 1802, the second company of the Great Western 
turnpike brought the present turnpike road through 
the village. The labors of this company sensibly im- 
proved the surface of Second street, and may be set 
down as the commencement of the present handsome 
appearance of the principal streets. The lake turnpike 
was constructed in 1825. The state road was continued 
west by the people, in 1796, nearly on the line of the 
present turnpike, some aid being obtained from the 
state. The Hartwick and Pier's roads have been but 
little altered since 1786, though both have been 
straightened near the village. 

In 1795, the township of Otsego, then much larger 
than at present, however, contained 2160 males above 
the age of 16, a prodigious increase for ten years. It 
had 491 electors under the laws of that period, viz : 
368 £100 freeholders; 55 £20 freeholders; and 60 
persons renting tenements. at £2. It is said that in 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 45 

1738, all the electors in the state west of Albany, the 
latter included, excepting, however, the manor of Rens- 
selaer, were but 636. In 1795, the number in the 
same counties was 36,026. It probably now exceeds 
200,000. 

It is mentioned that lake Otsego was free from ice 
on the 1st of January, 1796. It did not close the pre- 
sent year (1838) until the 23d January. March, 1796, 
was memorable for the flocks of pigeons that flew 
through this valley; elderly persons declaring that 
they saw more on a single morning than they had pre- 
viously seen in all their lives. 

At the close of the year 1796, Judge Cooper made 
his contracts for the construction of the Hall. This, 
it is believed, was the first building in the county, and, 
with the exception of the German settlements, almost 
the first private building in the state, west of Schenec- 
tady, that was not built of wood. By an instrument 
that is still in existence, William Sprague and Barnet 
Whipple contracted to do the carpenter's and joiner's 
work of this house, *all the materials being found on 
the spot, for the sum of $1,350. ^he work was begun 
in the year 1796, but it got no higher than the found- 
ation in 1797. In 1798, the walls were raised and the 
house was effectually enclosed. In June, 1799, the 
building was completed, and the family of the proprie- 
tor removed into it. It was, however, inhabited by 
some of the workmen in 1798. 

The grounds of the old building, which was called 
the Manor House, and those of the Hall, were not iden- 
tical. The former extended back no farther than to 
the site of the present building, whereas the latter, as 
is known, reached to Third street. At this time and 
for some years later, many pines were still standing in 
the fields south of Third street, and most of the spots 
that had been cleared were covered with a young 
second growth. Otsego Hall was, for many years, the 
largest private residence in the newer parts of the 



46 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

state, and it is still much the most considerable struc- 
ture in Cooperstown, a village that is so singularly well 
built. Some idea of the strength with which it was 
constructed may be gained from the fact, that in 1834, 
when the present owner commenced his repairs and 
improvements, the floor above the great hall, which is 
near twenty-five feet by fifty in surface, was raised 
three feet, one corner at a time, without injury even to 
the ceiling below. The joists were of oak, the planks 
of the best quality, and the fastenings of wrought iron 
spikes. The house was struck by lightning in 1802, 
on which occasion the first lightning rod in Coopers- 
town was erected. 

The Free Masons opened a lodge in the village on the 
first Tuesday in March, 1796, and on the 27th Decem- 
ber, they held a great religious festival in the x\cademy. 
They dined in the same place, and in the evening they 
had a ball. 

The first library was opened in this village, March 
11th, 1796, Capt. Timothy Barnes, librarian. 

The year 1794 was memorable in the history of 
Cooperstown, for what is still called the Indian alarm.* 
This alarm was false, having proceeded from the com- 
bined circumstances that a report prevailed of a con- 
siderable body of Indians having been seen lurking in 
the woods at no great distance, and that a party who 
had brought in some counterfeiters discharged their 

*This !.•» said by good authority to have originated from the bringing of an. 
Indian subject (for dissection) from Clierry Valley to this place, by medical 
students. From this fact the rumor spread that the Indians had resolved to 
have revenge upon the village. A great alarm ensued. The citizens armed 
themselves for an attack, and one of the oldest inhabitants now relates some 
amusing incidents of his picket duty at night, watching intently lor the de- 
scent of the savages with scalping knives and tomahawks. But none appeared. 

Second Alarm.— Singular as it may seem, a second Indian alarm occurred 
after the first edition of the Chronicles was published, being no longer ago 
than the year 1840. 

A wandering Indian came into the village one winter's afternoon, from an 
encampment of half-breeds in the viciinty. and getting into a drunken bout, 
died suddenly before morning. A story was ciiTulated among the loungers 
in the streets, that his friends suspected foul play and threatened vengeance. 
This was soon magnified into an intended midnight attack on the village. 
These fl>ing rumors came to th(^ ears of some of the pupils of Mr. Duff's mili- 
tary academy, then located at Apple^ hill, who hastened lo communicate the 
alarming intelligence to their piincipal. Whether Mr. Duff really accepted 
the truth of these reports, which is not unlikely, as he had for some time 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 47 

pistols at midniglit. Scouts had been previously sent 
to ascertain the fact about the Indians, and this dis- 
charge of pistols was supposed to proceed from these 
scouts, in the wish to alarm the village. Many ludi- 
crous accounts are given of the eifect of the fright, one 
man in particular, secreting himself in a log abutment 
of the bridge that had then been recently constructed at 
the spot where the present bridge now stands. We learn 
in the fact, the infant condition of the country, as it 
was then possible to create an alarm on account of the 
Indians. 

Up to this period the lake was full of fish, and hauls 
of hundreds of the delicious bass were made at a time, 
during the proper season. The trout also abounded, 
as did deer. The fisherman of the day was known as 
Admiral Ilearsey, pronounced Hassy, a man who was 
unhappy unless in a boat or before a lime kiln. He 
was, perhaps, more thoroughly aquatic than his succes- 
sor, the Commodore, who has now commanded the lake 
more than thirty years, but on the whole, less skillful. 
At that time pickerel, now so abundant, were seldom 
caught at all. 

In 1794, there was a large flat boat on the lake, 
called the ship Jay, on board of which Admiral Hassy 
first hoisted his flag. His sails were boards, and his 
speed more than doubtful. 

The old road along the east bank of the lake was 

lived among the wilds of Canada, or whether he wished to try the courage 
and efficiency of the military education of his pupils, we have no means of 
knowing. At all events, he appeared earnestly to believe in the threatened 
danger, and the boys were at once despatched to the village to purchase pow- 
der and lead to be moulded into bullets, at which some were soon actively 
engaged, while others removed all the effects from the school-room near the 
gate to the bouse, and proceeded to barricjide the doors and windows of the 
same, under Mr. Duff's immediate supervision. 

As the midnight hour approached a patrol guard was organized and placed 
in the several beats, from the house to the gate, from thence in front of the 
Episcopal church yard, and down to the corner near the village, while outposts 
were stationed over the river who were to give warning of the approaching 
enemy by the discharge of a musket; the younger boys vyere to remain in 
the house and guard the doors and windows. 

The night passed away in anxious watching, but not a sound arose to break 
upon its wonted stillness. Dawn relieved the youthful sentinels, whose ima- 
ginations had been fearfully wrought up by the occurrences of the preceding 
twenty-four hours, and the event became a nine days' wonder, and was the 
occasion of much amusing comment at the time. 



48 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

abandoned about this time ; tliose who went to Spring- 
field going by the way of Piers ; and those who went 
to Albany, or to the Mohawk, by the way of Cherry 
Valley. 

A journey taken by Judge Cooper in 1795, of which 
the memorials still exist, will give an idea of the means 
of communication that were then in the country. He 
left Cooperstown soon after breakfist, with his wife and 
two children, in the old-fashioned chariot already men- 
tioned, and drawn by four horses. At Middlefield 
Centre the party stopped, bated and dined. It reached 
Cherry Valley a little before sunset, where it passed 
the night. Left Cherry Valley next morning after an 
early breakfast, and stopped to dine with Mr. Christo- 
pher Yates j thence to the house of Hendrik Frey, 
at Canajoharie, to supper and to sleep. Quitting Mr. 
Frey's after a late breakfast, or at ten o'clock, it reached 
an inn for the night, about ten miles from Schenectady. 
The next morning, making an early start, it reached 
Gilbert's in Schenectady, to a late breakfast, and suc- 
ceeded in getting to Albany about sunset. 

At this period lime-kilns and brick-kilns existed at 
the outlet, owing to which circumstance, and to the 
diffffino's of the different roads, the western bank has 
been much defaced, it having resembled the eastern a 
good deal, in its native state ; though a small flat 
always existed a little below. 

In 1797, the Rev. Thomas Ellison of Albany, and 
the Patroon, both regents of the university, visited the 
Cherry Valley academy, and then extended their jour- 
ney to Cooperstown, where the former preached in the 
Court House. This was the first time service, accord- 
ing to the rites of the Protestant Episcopal church, was 
ever performed in the place. 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWiV. 49 



CHAPTER lY. 

In 1799, the Rev. John Frederick Ernst,* a Lutheran 
clergyman, settled in Cooperstown, under a temporary 
arrangement with the inhabitants, to perform religious 
service. Perhaps Mr. Ernst, who was a native of Ger- 
many, was the only person of his own persuasion in the 
village, and the reason of this selection was connected 
with a hope of getting the benefit of a bequest made 
for the purposes of education and religious instruction^ 
by the late Mr. Hartwick. This hope proved falla- 
cious, and Mr. Ernst remained but two or three years in 
the place, though he purchased property in it, and his 
descendants in the fourth generation are now to be 
found among us. Mr. Ernst was the second regularly 
employed clergyman in Cooperstown, though, owing to 
his peculiar sect, he can hardly be said to have had a 
regular church. 

I'he first law for establishing a post route f.oni some 
convenient point on the line of post route between Al- 
bany and Canandaigua, "through Cherry Valley to the 
Court House in Cooperstown, in the county of Otsego,'^ 
was passed on the 8th May, 1794. The post office was 
first opened in the village June 1st, 1794, Joseph Grif- 
fin, postmaster. The mail arrived weekly for some 
years ; it then came twice a week ; then thrice ; then 
daily ; and several variations occurred even after this, 
the daily mail not having been permanently established, 
as at present, until about the year 1821. 

In 1799, the Rev. John McDonald of the Scotch 
Seceders, was arrested for debt in this village, bailed, 

* J. F. Ernst, Jr., a jeweler from Albany, settled in Cooperstown in 1800. 
His son, G. W. Ernst, now living here, for 30 years has been a respectable 
merchant. 



50 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

and was placed on the limits. Mr. McDonald during 
his imprisonment preached regularly in the Court 
House, though he had no call, supporting himself by 
instructing a few classical scholars. He went away in 
1800. 

The Presbyterians and Congregationalists, in and 
about Cooperstown, formed themselves into a legal 
society on the 29th of December, 1798. The spiritual 
organization of this church took place on the 16th of 
June, 1800, Isaac Lewis, moderator of the meeting. 
On the 1st day of October, 1800, the Rev. Isaac Lewis 
was installed the pastor of the aforesaid church and 
congregation. He was the first regularly and perma- 
nently settled clergyman in Cooperstown, and he offici- 
ated altogether in the Academy, as Mr. Ernst had done 
during his stay. His connection with this church was 
dissolved in 1805. 

The Eev. William Neill was ordained and installed 
as the successor of Mr. Lewis in 1806. This connection 
was dissolved in 1809. In 1810, the Rev. John Ches- 
ter was engaged for a few months to fill the pulpit of 
this church. On the 7th of February, 1811, the Rev. 
John Smith was ordained and installed as the successor 
of Mr. Neill. This connection continued until the 
year 1833. On the 26th day of November, 1834, the 
Rev. Alfred E. Campbell was installed as the successor 
of Mr. Smith. The departure of Mr. Smith, and the 
causes which induced it, being of a spiritual character, 
were connected with a separation of this congregation 
into two congregations, one of which held its religious 
worship in the Court House and in the great hall of the 
Hall, the latter building being at that time unoccupied 
by any person but a keeper. This division was healed 
on the occasion of the call of Mr. Campbell, who is still 
the pastor of the reunited congregations. 

On the 10th day of September, 1800, Miss Cooper, 
the eldest daughter of Judge Cooper, a young lady in 
the 23d year of her age, was killed by a fall from a 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 51 

horse. Her funeral sermon was preached by the Rev. 
Daniel Nash of the Protestant Episcopal church, and 
she was interred according to the rites of that church, 
which were now performed for the first time in this 
village. 

This young lady, who had been educated in the 
schools of New York, and who, from having accom- 
panied her father in his official visits to the seat of 
government, was perhaps as extensively and favorably 
known in the middle states as any female of her years, 
was universally regretted. She had improved her lei- 
sure by extensive reading, and was a model of the do- 
mestic virtues. During his visit to this country, M. de 
Talleyrand passed a few days in Cooperstown, where he 
was an inmate of the family of Judge Cooper. The 
Otsego Herald of October 2, 1795, contains the follow- 
ing acrostic on Miss Cooper, then in her eighteenth 
year, which tradition ascribes to the celebrated diplo- 
maf. We give it as a literary curiosity, rather than 
as a very faultless specimen of poetry, although it is 
quite respectable in the latter point of view. 

Aimable philosophe au printems de son age, 
Ni les tems, ni les lieux n'alterent son esprit ; 
Ne cedant qu' a ses gouts, simple et sans etalage, 
Au milieu des deserts, elle lit, pense, ecrit. 

Cultivez, belle Anna, votre gout pour I'etude ; 
On ne saurait ici mieux employer son tems ; 
Otsego n'est pas gai — mais, tout est habitude; 
Paris vous deplairait fort au premier moment ; 
Et qui jouit de soi dans une solitude, 
Rentrant au monde, et sur d'en faire I'ornement. 

Miss Cooper was killed in the public highway, about 
a mile from the residence of General Morris, in the 
town of Butternuts, where a saaonument has stood these 
thirty-seven years to commemorate the sad event. She 
is interred in the burying ground of her family, under 
a slab that, singularly enough, while it is inscribed by 



52 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

some feeling lines, written by her father, does not even 
contain her name ! 

Mr. Nash, since so well known in his own church, 
for his apostolic simplicity, under the name of Father 
Nash, was then a missionary in the county. From 
this time he began to extend his services to Coopers- 
town, and on the first day of January, 1811, a church 
was legally organized, under the title of Christ Church, 
Cooperstown. This was the second regularly esta- 
blished congregation in the place. On the same day, 
the Ilev. Daniel Nash was chosen rector of Christ 
church, which office, through the delicacy of the cler- 
gyman who succeeded him in his duties, he informally 
held, down to the period of his death in 1836. In 
1818, Mr. Frederick T. Tiffany was engaged by Christ 
church as a lay reader This gentleman was admitted 
to deacon's orders in 1820, in St. John's church, New 
York, and to priest's orders in Christ church, Coopers- 
town, in 1828, by the Right Reverend Bishop Hobart, 
and his connection has continued with the church 
down to the present moment. 

In 1822, the Rev. Dr. Orderson, a clergyman from 
Barbadoes, West Indies, officiated occasionally in the 
church for several months. Whilst here, the honorary 
degree of D. D. was conferred upon him by the faculty 
of Union collei^re. 

The Methodist persuasion has had service, from time 
to time, for more than forty years in the village, occa- 
sionally with regularity, and at intervals, with long in- 
termissions. From the discipline and system of this 
church, it is impossible for us to give any accurate 
accdunt of the different clergymen employed. 

The U niversalists organized their society on the 26th 
April, 1831, under the name of the Second Universalist 
Society of Otsego, another existing in the township. 
At this moment, this congregation possesses about 
eighty members. The Rev. Job Potter was the first 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 53 

pastor, having been installed in 1831. He was suc- 
ceeded by the Rev. 0. Whiston in July, 1836. 

The Baptist church was organized the 21st January, 
1834 ; Rev. Lewis Raymond, who still officiates, being 
the first pastor. This sect has occasionally had service 
in the village for near forty years also, the baptisms 
near the Otsego rock being of frequent occurrence 
about the commencement of the century. 

The first edifice constructed for religious worship in 
the village of Cooperstown was erected by the Pres- 
byterians, on the east side of West street, between 
Third and Fourth streets, in 1805. It is of wood, 
being 64 feet long by 50 feet in width, having a tower 
and cupola ninety feet high. In 1835, this building 
was extensively altered and repaired, and it continues 
to be the place of worship of its congregation. This 
denomination purchased the house that stands on the 
south east corner of Third and West streets for a par- 
sonage, in 1838, for the sum of $1,600. 

In 1807, the Episcopalians erected a brick building 54 
feet long and 40 feet wide, as their place of worship. It 
was consecrated by the Right Reverend Bishop Moore, 
on the 8th day of July, 1810. This building stands 
on the west side of Water street, also between Third 
and Fourth streets, and in a line with the house first 
named. This denomination built a rectory on the 
southwest corner of Water and Third streets, or ad- 
joining the churchyard, in 1832. The latter building 
cost about $1200, exclusively of the lot. 

The Methodists erected a wooden buildins; with a 
tower, having no spire or cupola, on the west side of 
Chestnut street, in 1817. It has never been painted, 
and the service in it is still very irregular. 

In 1833, the Universalists erected a wooden building 
on the northeastern corner of Third and West streets, 
with a tower and pinnacles. It is 50 feet long and 38 
wide, and stands on the site of the old Academy, the 
latter building having been destroyed by fire on the 



54 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

31st day of March, 1809. This church with the lot, 
cost about $3000. 

The Baptists erected a church in 1835-6. It is 54 
feet by 40, and has a dome 60 feet high. The house 
and lot cost about $3000. 

These five buildings are all that have ever been 
erected for the purposes of public worship, in the vil- 
lage, and they are all now standing. 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN, 55 



CHAPTER Y. 

Between the years 1795 and 1803 the growth of 
Cooperstown was gradual but steady. A document 
exists to show that in January of the latter year, the 
village contained seventy-five dwelling houses, thirty- 
four barns, and three hundred and forty nine inhabit- 
ants. No account exists of the number of stores and 
shops, which probably would have raised the total of 
the buildings, exclusively of barns, &c., to about one 
hundred. The families were not yet large, as this ac- 
count gives less than five souls to each dwelling house. 

Apple hill was early selected by Richard Fenimore 
Cooper, Esquire, as the site for a house, and during the 
summer of 1800, he caused the present building to be 
erected. This was the second house in the place that 
was erected off the line of the streets, or which had 
the character of a villa. 

John Miller erected a house in bricks, in the summer 
of 1802, also. It stands on his farm, but within the 
present limits of the village, and is the second building 
in the place that was not constructed in wood. 

In 1804, Judge Cooper caused a stone dwelling to be 
constructed on the southwest corner of Water and Se- 
cond streets, for his daughter, who was then married to 
Mr. Greorge Pomeroy, a native of Massachusetts, who 
had become a resident of the place in the year 1801. 
This was the first stone building in the village. 

Between the years 1795 and 1802, John Russell, 
Elijah H. Metcalf and Robert Campbell, Esquires, also 
became residents of Cooperstown, in which place they 
have since held conspicuous social or political stations. 
All three of these gentlemen married in the village, and 



56 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

their descendants in the second and third generations, 
now form a portion of its population. Judge Metcalf 
died in 1821, but the other two are still living. Mr. 
Russell was the second member of congress ever elected 
from the place, and Mr, Metcalf was in the legislature 
of the state two terms. 

In 1801, a man dressed in a sailor's jacket, without 
stockings or neckcloth, but cleanly and otherwise of re- 
spectable appearance, and who seemed to be between 
forty and fifty, presented himself to Judge Cooper, with 
a request to know whether a small piece of low meadow 
land, that lies between Fenimore and the village, was to 
be sold. The answer was in the affirmative, but the 
applicant was informed that, on account of its position, 
the price would be relatively high, amounting to a con- 
siderable sum. The stranger requested that a deed 
might immediately be made of it, and he counted down 
the money in gold, giving his name as Esaias Hausman. 
Mr. Hausman left the Hall the owner of the lot in 
question, which has ever since been known as the Haus-v 
man lot. The habits, attainments and character of this 
man soon attracted attention. He spoke five or six of 
the living languages, and had a tolerable knowledge 
of the classics. He lived entirely alone, in a small 
house he had caused to be built on his purchase, and in 
the rudest manner. Occasionally he would disappear, 
and his absences sometimes extended to months. He 
frequently spoke of his past life, though it is not known 
that he ever gave any connected or explicit history of 
his origin, or of the events that led him to America. 
According to his own accounts of his adventures, he 
had served in the imperial army, and he was once heard 
to say that the death of Robespierre alone saved him 
from the block. Casual remarks of this nature increased 
curiosity, when Hausman became more reserved, and he 
soon ceased to touch at all on the events of his past life. 
Sometime about the year 1805, he had been absent seve- 
ral months, when it was discovered that he was teaching 



HISTORY CF COOPERSTOWN. 57 

Hebrew to the president of one of the eastern colleges. 
This occupation did not last long, however, for he was 
soon back again in his hut on the lake shore. In this 
manner this singular man passed many years, apparently 
undetermined in his purposes, rude, and even coarse in 
many of his habits, but always courteous and intelligent. 
He died in Herkimer in 1812, and without making any 
particular revelations concerning himself or his family. 
As he died intestate, his property escheated, the lot on 
the shore of the lake being sold by the public. It is 
said that a considerable sum in gold wa^ found in a 
purse that he wore between his shoulder blades. 

Nothing further was ever known of Esaias Hausman. 
He was certainly shrewd and observant, and his acqui- 
sitions, which were a little exaggerated, probably, by 
vulgar report, were of that kind which denotes in 
Europe, a respectable education. He had not the 
appearance or manners of a Polish gentleman, for he 
called himself a Pole, and the most probable conjecture 
concerning him, a conjecture that we believe is sustained 
by some of his own remarks, made him a Jew. The 
name is Grerman, but the people of that persuasion 
often assume new appellations. 

The estate which is bounded by the Susquehanna 
and lake Otsego, on the west, belonged to Henry 
Bowers, Esquire. On the death of this gentleman, it 
descended to his only son, John M. Bowers, Esquire. 
At a very early period, the land immediately around 
the outlet, and of course opposite to Cooperstown, was 
cleared and a farm house erected. On his marriage, 
however, Mr. Bowers determined to reside on his pro- 
perty, and to build at this spot. He came into the vil- 
lage in 1803, accordingly, where he resided, for a short 
time, and commenced the construction of the present 
house at Lakelands. This building was erected in 
1804, and its proprietor took possession of it in 1805. 
Since that time it has continued to be the residence of 
the gentleman who caused the house to be built. This 



58 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

place is not within the Hmits of Cooperstown, or even 
in the township of Otsego, but standing within musket- 
shot of the former, its inhabitants properly . belong to 
our community. 

In 1797, the Masons erected a hall on the northeast 
corner of Front and West streets, which is still standing. 

The population of Cooperstown underwent essential 
changes, between the years 1800 and 1806. All the 
lawyers originally settled in the village, without an 
exception, had removed, and their places had been sup- 
plied by a new set. The same alterations also occurred 
among the merchants, who have frequently changed 
since the settlement of the country. Of the latter, Mr. 
Lawrence McNamee, who opened a store in the village 
in 180:2, is the only one who has continued in the same 
occupation, and in the same place, down to the present 
time. 

The only bookstore in the village, or that has ever 
been in the village, that of the Messrs. Phinney, has 
been continued since 1795, also, in the same family. 

Between the years 1800 and 1810, the growth of the 
village, without being rapid, was regular and respecta- 
ble. Many places that, a few years previously, were 
much inferior to it in size and wealth, now began to 
surpass it, but its own population gradually grew easier 
in their circumstances, and, as a matter of course, en- 
larged their manner of living. Still, the people de- 
pended chiefly on the trade of the few adjoining towns, 
on the presence of the county buildings, and on such of 
the more ordinary manufactures as found consumers in 
the vicinity. 

On the 22d December, 1809, died William Cooper, 
Esquire, the original proprietor, after whom the village 
was named. Judge Cooper was in his fifty-sixth year 
at the time of his death, and his connection with the 
place had continued near .twenty-four years. For nine- 
teen he had been a regular inhabitant of the village. 
He died in Albany, and was interred in the burying 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 59 

ground of his family, in Christ cliurch yard. To the 
enterprise, energy and capacity of this gentleman, the 
county of Otsego is more indebted for its rapid settle- 
ment, than to those of any other person. 

A law was passed in 1806, for the erection of a new 
court house and jail for the county of Otsego. The 
commissioners appointed for that purpose, selected a 
spot a little remote from the center of the village, on 
the south side of the turnpike, and west of Chestnut 
street. Here a building was constructed in 1806—7. 
It is 56 feet long and 50 feet wide, and has been used 
ever since for the public service. It is of bricks, and 
the court room is capacious and convenient. The jail 
is in the lower story, and is crowded and inconvenient. 
The jailer has also rooms in the building. 

A fire-proof county clerk's office was constructed 
near the courthouse, in 1814. 

The removal of the court house to the extreme west- 
ern limits of the place, has had no sensible effect on the 
direction taken by the village in its growth, but a very 
few houses having been since erected in that quarter of 
the town. The old court house, jail and tavern,* were 
torn down in 1810, and a range of brick stores was 
erected on the lot, in 1811. 

In the year 1803, a market house was erected in the 
centre of Fair street, about half way between Front 
and Second streets. The attempt to induce the butchers 
and the people of the surrounding country to use it, 
however, failed, and the building was removed into 
West street, and converted into a school house, in 1809, 
or soon after the destruction of the Academy by fire. 

On the 3d day of April, 1807, a law was passed 
authorizing the inhabitants of the village of CoojDcrs- 
town, to elect trustees, under an act of incorporation, 
which styled the place The Village of Otsego. This 
change of name arose from party politics, and the 

* These stood on the east corner of Second and West streets, where Robert 
Davis's store is now standing. 



60 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

majority of the inhabitants of the village being opposed 
to the measure, elected trustees, who rendered the law 
a dead letter, by declining to do any thing under its 
provisions. 

June 12th, 1812, a new act was passed, incorporating 
the place, by the name of the village of Cooperstown, 
under which law, the people proceeded immediately to 
organize the local government. By the act of incorpo-' 
ration, as since amended, the people elect annually 
five trustees, who choose their own president. The peo- 
ple also elect a clerk and treasurer, three assessors, a 
pathmaster, and constable. The board of trustees pos- 
sesses powers to pass by-laws for the security of the vil- 
lage, in cases of fire ] to prevent obstructions in the 
streets, or other nuisances ; for regulating the streets ] 
for lighting the same ; erecting public pounds, and for 
making wharves, docks, &c. &c. No taxes, however, 
exceeding four hundred dollars in total amount, shall be 
laid in any one year. The village charter was ainended 
April 30, 1829, the limits of the corporation being con- 
siderably extended. By the plan of Judge Cooper, the 
village plat originally contained one hundred and twelve 
acres, as has been stated, whereas the present boundaries 
probably include more than four hundred acres, though 
not more than a third of this surface can be said to be 
actually occupied by the streets and dwellings. 

In 1812, at the time of the incorporation of the 
place, Cooperstown contained 133 houses, &c,, 57 barns 
and 686 inhabitants. January, 1816, there were 183 
houses, offices and shops, 68 barns and 826 inhabitants. 

A small fire engine was purchased by the village, in 
1812, and a second was presented to it by the heirs 
of Judge Cooper, in 1815. 

The business of Cooperstown became enlarged in con- 
sequence of the establishment of manufactories, in its 
vicinity. This enterprise was commenced in 1809, by 
the erection of the Union cotton manufactory, on the 
Oaks ; since that time, many other similar works have 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 61 

been constructed in the neigliborliood. In the village 
itself, works of various kinds have been gradually esta- 
blished, increasing the wealth and adding to the industry 
of the place. 

After the erection of the range of stores on the old 
court house lot, a better style of buildings was intro- 
duced for similar purposes. Since that time, most of 
the stores, and many of the principal shops, have been 
constructed in brick or stone. 

The late Isaac Cooper, Esq., commenced the house 
called Edgewater, in 1810, and removed into it in 1814. 
This building, which is sixty-six feet long, by forty-five 
in width, is one of the best in the place. 

The residence of Mr. Henry Phinney, on Chestnut 
street, was commenced in 1813, and completed in 1816, 
This is also one of the principal dwellings in the vil- 
lage. 

Richard Fenimore Cooper, Esq., died in Albany, in 
March, 1813, and was brought to this place for inter- 
ment. This gentleman, when a youth, accompanied his 
father to Otsego, and was one of the oldest inhabitants 
of the village. His son and grandchildren still exist in 
the place. 

In 1808, a second newspaper, William Andrews^ 
editor, was established under the name of the Impartial 
Observer. This print soon passed into the hands of 
John H. Prentiss, Esq., and its name was changed to 
that of Cooperstown Federalist. At a still later day the 
title of this paper was changed to that of the Free- 
man s Journal^ under which appellation it is still known. 
With the exception of a short interval, the same editor 
and proprietor has been at the head of the establish- 
ment, for about twenty-nine years. 

A paper called the Watch Tower, was set up in op- 
position to the Cooperstown Federalist, in 1814, Israel 
W. Clark, editor. In May, 1817, this paper was trans- 
ferred to Edward B. Crandal, who remained its editor 
until its discontinuance, in 1831. 

6 



62 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

The Tocsin was established in 1829, hut took the 
name of the Otsego Rejniblican in 1831, under which 
title it still exists. 

In July, 1813, died Elihu Phinney, Esq., aged fifty- 
eight. The arrival of this gentleman in the village has 
already been mentioned. Mr. Phinney was one of the 
judges of the county court for several years, and con- 
tinued to control the Otsego Herald to the period of 
his death. The paper was published by his sons H. & 
E. Phinney until the year 1821, when it was discon- 
tinued, after an existence of 26 years. 

In 1814, the children of Augustine and Susannah 
Prevost, who had purchased the judgment of John 
Morton, against their grandfather, George Croghan, 
which was the oldest judgment on record, attempted to 
revive the same by scire facias against all the terre- 
tenants on Cooper's patent. This measure of course 
made all the freeholders in the village parties in the 
suit. The executors of Judge Cooper, however, man- 
aged the defence. The proceedings connected with this 
law suit, lasted several years, when they were discon- 
tinued in consequence of the statute of limitations. As 
the heirs of Susannah Prevost, who was the devisee of 
George Croghan, held assets to more than the amount 
of the judgment, in consequence* of a failure of title 
through informality, under one of the judgment sales 
against their ancestor, there can be no doubt that had 
the issue been tried on its merits, the defendants would 
have prevailed, without having recourse to the agree- 
ment of 1775, according to which, the lands were to 
have been sold, firstly to satisfy the judgment of Gov. 
Franklin, or that under which the terre-tenants held, 
secondly, to pay the mortgage of Thomas Wharton, and 
lastly, to satisfy this very judgment, which it was now 
attempted to revive, after a lapse of forty years. 

On two several occasions, ofiicers of the federal go- 
vernment established recruiting parties in this village. 
The first was in 1799, during- the ijuasi^dir with France ; 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 63 

Lieut. Joseph C. Cooper, who succeeded in enlisting 
about thirty men in the county, commanding the party. 
The second occasion occurred during the war of 1812, 
when a considerable detachment of riflemen was re- 
cruited in the vicinity, and collected in the village, 
under Capt. Grosvenor. 

In the way of irregular troops, there have been seve- 
ral volunteer corps in Cooperstown, though none of any 
permanency, with the exception of the artillery. The 
first artillery company was established in 1798, William 
Abbot, captain, Samuel Huntington, first lieutenant, 
and George Walker, second. The pieces of this com- 
pany entirely supplanted the Cricket, and since that 
time the villagers have never been without regular brass 
guns for their parades and festivals. 

A volunteer company of horse was established in 
1794, Captain Benjamin Grifiin, commandant. Many 
persons now living, can recollect a celebrated sham fight 
between this cavalry and a party of men disguised as 
Indians. The charges of the horse, on that occasion, 
are described as having been infinitely severe. At that 
time, the log fences, a good deal decayed, inclosed a 
great portion of the two principal blocks of the place, 
and the manner in which the cavalry got over them and 
through them, probably caused as much surprise to 
themselves as to the spectators. In this part of the 
field especially, the Indians are said to have discovered 
much the greatest address, although both parties, as 
usual, claimed the victory. 

The first regular organization of the militia, in this 
part of the country, appears to have taken place in the 
year 1798, although detached companies existed pre- 
viously. Jacob Morris, Esq., of Butternuts, was the 
first brigadier-general appointed, and Francis Henry, 
Esq., the first colonel of the regiment which included 
the village. John Howard was the first captain of the 
ordinary militia company of the beat. Capt. Howard 
was unfortunately drowned in the Susquehanna the 



64 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

next year, in making a noble effort to save a person wlio 
had got beneath some floodwood, and he was succeeded 
by William Sprague. 

For a long time after the commencement of the vil- 
lage, Cooperstown suffered but little from fires; several 
small buildings, it is true, were burned at different 
times, but the first considerable conflagration occurred 
on the night of the 30th of March, 1809, when the 
printing oflice of H. & E. Phinney took fire. The 
flames were communicated to a new dwelling house be- 
longing to William Dowse, Esq., and both were con- 
sumed. These buildings stood on West street. The 
next day the Academy was also destroyed in the same 
way, and no attempt has ever been made to rebuild it. 

A dwelling house and store, standing on Second 
street, and occupied by Joseph Wilkinson, were de- 
stroyed by fire, March 17, 1814. 

A long range of store houses belonging to the estate 
of Judge Cooper, also standing on Second street, was 
burned down in the winter of 1813. A part of this 
range was composed of the old Manor House, which had 
been converted into a storehouse. 

The next considerable conflagration occurred on the 
night of the 27th of April, 1818, when a fire broke out 
in the hatter's shop of Ralph Worthington, and it was 
not subdued until it had consumed all the building's on 
the north side of Second street, between the west corner 
of Fair street and the alley called Beaver alley, making 
six buildings altogether. This is much the most con- 
siderable fire that ever occurred within the limits of the 
village. 

But the summer of 1823, was a serious time for the 
inhabitants of the village of Cooperstown. A succession 
of fires took place, under circumstances that scarce leave 
a doubt that they were mostly, if not entirely, the acts 
of an incendiary. The Tannery was consumed on the 
night of the 12th of July. On a thorough examination 
of the facts, it was generally believed it had been set 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 65 

on fire. A stone house, whicli had been erected at 
Fenimore, by J. Fenimore Cooper, Esq., between the 
years 1814 and 1817, was the next consumed. This 
place which, like Lakelands, stands without the village 
limits, properly belongs to the village community, and 
the principal dwelling was of considerable size and of a 
good finish, having all the conveniences of a country 
residence. The house was not completed nor inhabited, 
though it contained all the wood work and a large amount 
of valuable lumber. As it stood quite alone in the centre 
of an extensive lawn, there can be but little doubt that 
it was set on fire. This house was destroyed to the 
naked walls. 

Several barns which stood in the most compact parts 
of the village soon followed. Fortunately the injury, in 
few of these cases, extended beyond the buildings which 
first took fire. The incendiary, or incendiaries, were 
never satisfactorily discovered, though plausible conjec- 
tures have been made. 

Since the recent alterations and repairs of the Hall 
have been going on, a window has been opened and a 
place has been discovered where tinder, oiled cotton, 
burnt matches and other combustibles were lying toge- 
ther, leaving little doubt that one if not more attempts 
were made to destroy that building also, and probably 
about the same time. 

There are other instances in which there is reason to 
suppose that incendiaries had been at work in the vil- 
lage, one of which is a recent case of a fire in the Court 
House This building was discovered to be on fire about 
four o'clock on the morning of the 24th of May, 1837, 
but the flames were subdued before they had done much 
injury. One of the prisoners in the jail was suspected 
of having set the building on fire, though the charge 
could not be substantiated. 

Of late, scarcely a year passes without one or more 
fires, which usually proceed from defective or badly se- 
cured stove pipes, but no structure of any importance 



66 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

has been consumed. Indeed, it is the subject of sur- 
prise that no considerable dwelling house has ever been 
destroyed by fire within the village of Cooperstown, with 
the exception of that of Mr. Dowse and of one or two 
of secondary value and size, which were burned in the 
great fire of 1818. Almost every other building that 
has been burned, has been either a shop, a barn, or a 
store. 

Cisterns for the collection of water have been sunk in 
the streets; hooks and ladders, fire buckets and hose 
are provided, and considering the size of the place, the 
provisions against fire are respectable. The firemen 
have usually been found active and bold, and cases have 
often occurred in which they have saved large portions 
of the village. 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 67 



CHAPTER YL 

The society of Cooperstown received considerable 
accessions between the years 1805 and 1820. Several 
young lawyers established themselves in the place, 
among whom were William Dowse, George Morell, 
Samuel Starkweather, Joseph S. Lyman, Eben B. More- 
house, H. Flagg, and A. L. Jordan, Esquires. Mr. 
Morell removed to Michigan in 1832, and is at present 
one of the judges of the supreme court of that state. 
Mr. Lyman was elected to congress in 1818, but died 
during his term of service. Mr. Dowse was also elected 
a member of congress at a still earlier day, but never 
took his seat, having died previously to the meeting of 
that body. Messrs Jordan and Flagg removed from the 
village after a few years residence. Mr. Flagg died in 
one of the southern states, shortly after he left here. 

The village has given the following members to the 
congress of the United States, to wit : William Cooper, 
who was first elected in 1794; John Russel, Esq., who 
was elected in 1804; John M. Bowers, Esq., who sat 
part of a session in 1813-14, but lost his seat in conse- 
quence of a decision of the house; AVilliam Dowse, Esq., 
elected in 1812, and died as already mentioned ; Joseph 
S. Lyman, Esq., elected in 1818, and died in 1821 ; 
and John H. Prentiss, Esq., who is the sitting member. 

The county of Otsego has for several years composed 
a congressional district by itself, and of eleven members 
chosen at different periods from the county, six have 
been residents of Cooperstown. 

Several other gentlemen became residents of the place 
during the period already mentioned, and continued to 
increase and improve its society; among these were 



68 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

Messrs. Edmeston, Atchison, Augustine Prevost, and 
Gr. W. Prevost. A singular fatality attended the three 
first of these gentlemen. Col. Prevost was lost in the 
well known shipwreck of the Albion packet. Mr. Ed- 
meston was drowned while bathing, and Mr. Aitchison 
fell by his own hand during an access of fever. Neither 
of these melancholy events occurred in the village. 

Five deaths by drowning, in the lake, have occurred 
among the inhabitants of the village since the settle- 
ment of the place. 

The village was much improved by the fire of 1818 ; 
stone and brick buildings having been principally erected 
in the place of those destroyed. 

The first public house in Cooperstown, as has been 
said already, was kept by William Ellison, on Water 
street, near the outlet. But the first public house of 
any note, was the old Ked Lion, kept by Joseph Griffin, 
on the projecting corner of West and Second streets. 
This building, which at difi"erent times has been much 
enlarged, repaired and improved, has continued to be 
one of the principal inns of the place for forty-six years. 
The old sign, which was painted by an amateur artist, 
R. R. Smith, Esq., the first sheriff of the county, 
stood for many years, but to the great regret of the 
older inhabitants of the place, it has been made to dis- 
appear before some of the more ambitious improvements 
of the day, the house being now called the Eagle 
Tavern. 

The second public house of any consequence, was the 
Blue Anchor, kept by William Cook on the corner dia- 
gonally opposite to the Red Lion ; this house was in 
much request for many years among all the genteeler 
portion of the travelers. Its host was a man of singu- 
lar humors, great heartiness of character, and perfect 
integrity. He had been the steward of an English East- 
Indiaman, and enjoyed an enviable reputation in the 
village for his skill in mixing punch and flip. On 
holidays, a stranger would, have been apt to mistake 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 69 

Kim for one of the magnates of the land, as he inva- 
riably appeared in a drab coat of the style of 1776 
with buttons as large as dollars, breeches, striped stock- 
ings, buckles that covered half his foot, and a cocked 
hat large enough to extinguish him. The landlord of 
the Blue Anchor was a general favorite, his laugh and 
his pious oaths having become historical. 

There were many other taverns in the place, the most 
considerable of which was Washington Hall. It stood 
on the north side of Second street, one door from the 
corner of Fair street. This house at one period was in 
more request than any other in the place, but not until 
the functions of the landlord of the Blue Anchor had 

ceased. 

In 1832, the house adjoining the old Washington 
Hall was removed, and a spacious inn was erected on 
its site ) this is at the eastern corner of Second and Fair 
streets, and the inn is known by the name of Union 

Hall. ' nil 

A tavern was kept by Daniel Olendorf, on the north- 
east corner of Second and Chestnut streets for several 
years. This house was probably in more demand than 
any other that has been kept in the village, but it was 
discontinued in the early part of the present year, 
though it is still in request as a boarding house.^ The 
Eao-le Tavern and Union Hall are now the two principal 
inn's of the place, the first being the stage house. 

According to the census of 1820, the population of 
the village had increased to 1000, and in 1825 it was 
reduced to 857, while in 1830 it was 1115. By the 
census of 1835, it was found to be 1190. The growth 
of the village has been in some degree retarded by the 
mania for western emigration, and there was a period at 
the commencement of the century, when Judge Cooper 
made large drafts on this village and the surrounding 
country, for settlers on his other estates. The law abol- 
ishing imprisonment for debt, has also had a tendency 



70 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

to lessen ike population of this village, in common with 
those of all the small county towns in the interior. 

Notwithstanding the apparent stagnation in the place, 
Cooperstown has actually been greatly improved within 
the last fifteen years. Several houses have been erected 
in brick or stone, of respectable dimensions and of gen- 
teel finish ; among these that of Mr. Elihu Phinney on 
West street, that of Mr. William Nichols on Fair street, 
that of Mr. Ellery Cory, also on West street, and that 
of Mr. John Hannay, on Second street, are among the 
most considerable. The three last are of stone. 

A law was passed on the 8th day of April, 1830, in- 
corporating a bank, by the title of the Otsego County 
Bank, and a stone banking-house was erected on the 
south side of Second street, nearly opposite to Fair 
street, in 1831. This bank has a capital of one hundred 
thousand dollars, and Robert Campbell and Henry 
Scott, Esquires, both old and respectable inhabitants of 
the village, have been its president and cashier, since 
the formation of the institution. This incorporation 
has been well managed, and as it has been found very 
serviceable to the community, while it has escaped the 
imputations that rest on so many similar establishments 
in other places, it is in favor with all the intelligent part 
of the population. 

Few of the very early heads of families in the village 
now remain ; many of those even, who came in about 
the close of the last or the beginning of the present 
century, are already dead, and several of those who ac- 
companied their parents as children, have followed them 
to the grave. Isaac Cooper, Esq., the second son of 
the proprietor, who for many years was an active inhabit- 
ant of the village, and who contributed little less than 
his father, to its improvement and embellishment, died 
on the 1st of January, 1818. His two brothers, William 
and Samuel, survived him but a short time. 

Thomas Shankland, Esq., died 21st August, 1823, 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 71 

and his wife Rachel, 21st October, 1826. He was the 
owner of the mills south of the village at the time of 
his death. 

James Averell, Esq., whose activity in business has 
been already mentioned, died as lately as December, 
1836. His wife having preceded him to the grave 
about two years. 

Dr. Thomas Fuller, whose practice in the village 
commenced in 1791, died on the 11th July, 1837. 

Mr. Joshua Starr, another of the old inhabitants died 
the 17th February, 1838, and his wife on the 5th May, 
1837. 

Mr. Ralph Worthington and Mr. John Frederick 
Ernst, both respectable residents for a long time, died 
early, the first on the 9th September, 1828, and the 
second, on the 29th November, 1830. 

Descendants of all these familes exist in the second 
and third, and in some cases, in the fourth generations. 

The families longest resident in Cooperstown, are the 
following, the date of the connection with the place 
being put opposite to the name of each, viz : Cooper, 
1785-1790; Miller, 1786 -, Averell, 1786-1788 ; White, 
1788; Baldwin, 1790; Fuller, 1791; Starr, 1792; 
Griffin, 1792; Ingalls, 1793 ; Graves, 1793 ; Phinney, 
1795; Russell, 1796; Ernst, 1799; Metcalf, 1799; 
Bowden, 1799; Pomeroy, 1801 ; Campbell, 1802 ; Wor- 
thington, 1802; McNamee, 1802; Olendorf, 1802; 
Foote, 1804 ; Scott, 1805 ; Prentiss, 1808, &c., &c., &c. 
To these may be added several families that have long 
been settled in the adjoining country, and of which 
some of the members now reside in the village. Among 
the latter, we find the names of Fitch, 1790—1814; 
Clark, 1796-1812 ; Jarvis, 1786-1832 ; Stowel, 1792- 
1822 ; Doubleday, 1794-1821 ; Luce 1788-1830. The 
family of Bowers may also be enumerated, though not 
within the village limits, coming in 1803. Of the above 
mentioned names Messrs. Miller, White, Baldwin, Rus- 
sell, Griffin, Bowden, Campbell, Pomeroy, Foote, Mc- 



72 HISTORY or COOPERSTOWN. 

Namee, Scott, Olendorf and Prentiss, the original head 
of each family, are still living, as is also Mr. Bowers. 

John Miller is now, and indeed, for a long time has 
been, the oldest living settler. His children own the 
proj^erty which he first cleared from the forest. James 
White, a carpenter, well known for his industry and 
hard application to his work, is the next oldest settler, 
and Joseph Baldwin, cooper, is the third ; the fourth 
male is James Fenimore Cooper, Esquire. This gen- 
tleman was born 1789, and in 1790, was brought an in- 
fant, a year old, into the village, with the family of 
Judge Cooper, of which he was the youngest child. 
His sister, Mrs. Pomeroy, is the longest resident among 
the females, neither of those already named as older in- 
habitants, her own father excepted, having been married 
at the time of the arrival of her family. The next 
oldest female resident, we believe to be the wife of 
Joseph Baldwin. 

Of descendants, there have been four generations of 
the Cooper family in the place, from father to son. This 
is the only instance, we believe, in which the fourth 
generation has yet been reached in the same name, 
though it lias been several times done through females. 
The grand-children of the older settlers are in active 
life, however, in very many instances 

The following names belong to families, that may now 
be considered as old inhabitants, though their residence 
is of comparatively recent date, viz : E. Cory, Gregory, 
Nichols, Gr. A. Starkweather, Waterman, Paul, Perkins, 
Tracey, Wilson, Spafard, Lewis, Besancon, H. Cory, 
Cooley and Davis. 

Some of the members of these families are -now 
among the most respectable and useful inhabitants of 
the place. 

In 1825, Samuel Nelson, Esquire, the judge of the 
circuit court, married the only daughter of Judge Rus- 
sell, and became an inhabitant of Cooperstown. Judge 
Nelson resided some time at Apple hill, but in 1829, 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 73 

lie purchased Feoimore, and enlarging the farm-house, 
he converted it into a spacious and convenient dwelling. 
The walls of the ruins left by the fire of 1823, were 
removed in 1826, and no traces of that situation now 
remain, but its foundations. Judge Nelson was pro- 
moted to the bench of the supreme court in 1833, and 
in 1836, he became its chief justice. 

John A. Dix, Esquire, the present secretary of state, 
purchased Apple hill of the heirs of R. Fenimore Cooper, 
Esq., in 1828, but sold it to Levi C. Turner, Esq., at 
his removal to Albany, on his being appointed adjutant- 
general. Mr. Turner is married to a daughter of Robert 
Campbell, Esq., and is the present owner of that beau- 
tiful situation. 

In 1829, Eben B. Morehouse, Esquire, purchased a 
few acres of Mr. Bowers, on the side of the Vision, 
at the point where the old state road made its first turn 
to ascend the mountain, and caused a handsome dwelling 
in stone to be constructed. This place, which has re- 
ceived the appropriate name of Woodside, has been 
extensively embellished, and as it enjoys the advantage 
of possessing a beautiful pine grove, it is generally 
esteemed one of the most desirable residences of the 
neighborhood. In 1836, Mr. Morehouse sold Wood- 
side to Samuel Wootton Beall, Esquire, a native of 
Maryland, who had married into the family of Cooper. 

After the death of the late Isaac Cooper, Esquire, the 
house at Edgewater was sold. An abortive attempt 
was made to get up a female school, and this house was 
altered, in order to meet such an object, This project 
failed, and in 1834, the property was sold to Theodore 
Keese, Esquire, of New York, by whom it has been 
repaired, and the grounds restored to their original 
beauty, and indeed improved. Mr. Keese uses Edge- 
water as a summer residence, having married into the 
family of Pomeroy. 

The Hall having passed into the hands of J. Feni- 
more Cooper, Esquire, that gentleman, shortly after his 

7 



74 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

return from Europe, or in 1834, had it extensively 
repaired, and a good deal altered. The roof had rotted, 
and it was replaced by a new one on the old inclination, 
but the walls of the building were raised four feet. On 
these were placed battlements and heavy cornices in 
brick, that add altogether eight feet to the elevation of 
the building. The distance between the rows of the 
windows was increased three feet, by filling in the lower 
ends of the upper windows, and by placing new stools, 
the necessary height having been obtained above. 
Much ornamental brick work has been added, and the 
effect has been altogether advantageous. All the floors 
of the second story have also been raised, giving to the 
principal rooms a better height than they formerly pos- 
sessed, while those above have been improved in the 
same way, by the addition to the general height of the 
building. Appropriate entrances have been made on 
both fronts, that are better suited to the style of archi- 
tecture and to the climate than the ancient stoops, and 
two low towers have been added to the east end, which 
contribute greatly to the comfort of the house, as a resi- 
dence. The improvements and alterations are still pro- 
ceeding slowly, and this dwelling, which for ten or 
twelve years was nearly deserted, promises to be one of 
the best country houses in the state again. The 
grounds have also been enlarged and altered, the present 
possessor aiming at what is called an English garden. 
During the life of Judge Cooper, these grounds con- 
tained about three acres, but they are now enlarged to 
near five. 

Great improvements have been made in the streets 
of late years, which have been accurately graded, and 
in some instances the sidewalks have been flagged. 
The carriage ways are smooth, in general, and we believe 
no stump now remains in any of the public avenues. 
There is a deficiency in the supply of water, however, 
Cooperstown being less abundantly furnished with this 
great necessary in 1838 than it was forty years ago; for 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 75 

at that time, log aqueducts were led under ground, from 
the western mountain into the village. Wells are 
numerous, though the water is usually hard, and un- 
suited to domestic purposes ; luckily there are several 
excellent springs within the circle of the houses, and 
from these the inhabitants obtain most of their supplies. 
A law was passed in 1827, to incorporate a company to 
supply the place with water, and it is to be hoped that 
the day is not distant when its very desirable objects 
will be carried into eflfect. 



76 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 



CHAPTEK YII. 

Having now given the simple and brief annals of the 
place, from the time when the site of Cooperstown was 
a wilderness, down to the present moment, we shall close 
our labors, with a more general account of its actual con- 
dition, trusting that posterity will not permit any period 
to extend beyond the memory of man, without adding 
to that which has been here given, in order that there 
may always exist authentic local annals, for the informa- 
tion and uses of those most interested. 

The village of Cooperstown stands in the 44th° of 
north latitude, and, as near as can be ascertained from 
maps, in the 76th° of longitude, west from Greenwich. 
It contains within the corporate limits, according to an 
enumeration that has been made expressly for this work, 
the following buildings, viz. : 

Dwelling Houses, 169 

Stores, 20 

Shops, 42 

Offices, 14 

Churches, 5 

Bank, 1 

Court House, 1 

Engine House, 1 

Total, 253 

To these buildings may be added between sixty and 
eighty barns, carriage-houses, stables and minor con- 
structions, that stand in the rear of the lots. The 
buildings of Lakelands, Woodside, and Fenimore, all 
of which places, though quite near the village, stand 
without its legal limits, are also omitted in this enume- 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN, It 

ration. If these latter, and some ten or twelve dwell- 
ing-houses that stand between Fenimore and Coopers- 
town, be included, the total number of buildings of all 
sorts, would not be far from three hundred and fifty. 

The population does not probably vary much from 
1300 souls at the present moment. 

Cooperstown is better built than common, for a village 
of its size. Of the dwelling-houses, there are a good 
many of stone or brick, as there are also stores and 
shops. In the whole, near forty of the buildings are 
of one or the other of these materials. Many of the 
dwellings, besides those particularly named, are gen- 
teelly finished, and would be considered respectable 
habitations even in the larger towns. 

The village is beautifully placed at the southern end 
of the lake, being bounded on one side by its shores, and 
on another by its outlet, the Susquehanna. The banks 
of both these waters are sufiiciently elevated, varying 
from twenty to forty feet. Apple hill probably stands 
sixty or seventy feet above the river, which it almost 
overhangs. There is an irregular descent from the rear 
of the town towards the banks of the lake, and which 
has been brought to a regular grading in some of the 
streets running north and south. The place is clean, 
the situation is dry, and altogether it is one of the 
healthiest residences in the state. 

Lake Otsego is a sheet of limpid water, extending, 
in a direction from N. N. East, to S. S. West, about 
nine miles, and varying in width from about three- 
quarters of a mile to a mile and a half. It has many 
bays and points, and as the first are graceful and sweep- 
ing, and the last low and wooded, they contribute largely 
to its beauty. The water is cool and deep, and the fish 
are consequently firm and sweet. The two ends of the 
lake, without being shallow, deepen their water gradu- 
ally, but there are places on its eastern side in particu- 
lar, where a large ship might float with her yards in 
the forest. The greatest ascertained depth is at a place 



78 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

about two miles from the village, where bottom has been 
got with a line of one hundred and fifty feet. There are 
probably spots of a still greater depth. The fish of the 
Otsego have a deserved reputation, and, at particular 
seasons, are taken in great abundance. Among those 
that are edible, may be mentioned the following, viz. : 
the lake fish, or salmon trout, the bass, eels, perch, sun- 
fish, pickerel, cat-fish, or bull-pouts, and suckers. The 
river has the white fish, and many of the small neigh- 
boring streams are richly supplied with common trout. 
The trout is little, if any, inferior to the salmon, and 
has been caught as large as from twenty to thirty 
pounds ; those that weigh from eight to twelve pounds 
are not uncommon. The bass, or Otsego bass, is also a 
delicious fish, resembling the white fish of the great 
lakes. The pickerels and the eels are both excellent 
of their kind, and very abundant in their seasons. 

The shores of the Otsego are generally high, though 
greatly varied. On the eastern side, extends a range of 
steep mountains, that varies in height from four to six 
hundred feet, and which is principally in forest, though 
here and there a farm relieves its acclivities. The road, 
along this side of the lake is peculiarly pleasant, and 
traveled persons call it one of the most strikingly pic- 
turesque roads within their knowledge. The western 
shore of the lake is also high, though more cultivated. 
As the whole country possesses much wood, the farms^ 
viewed across the water, on this side of the lake, resem- 
ble English park scenery. Some of the glimpses of the 
settlement, which has obtained the name of Piers from 
the circumstance that several farmers of that family 
originally purchased lands there, are singularly beauti- 
ful, even as seen from the village. 

Immediately opposite to the village, on the eastern 
side of the valley (for the Susquehanna winds its way 
for near four hundred miles through a succession of 
charming valleys), the range of mountain terminates^ 
heaving itself up into an isolated hummock, however, 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 79 

before it melts away into the plain. This rise is called 
the Vision, and its summit is much frequented for its 
views, which are unrivaled in this part of the country. 
The ascent is easy, by means of roads and paths, and 
when there, the spectator gets a bird's eye view of the 
village, which appears to lie directly beneath him, of 
the valley, and of the lake. The latter, in particular, 
is singularly lovely, displaying all the graceful curva- 
tures of its western shores, while the landscape behind 
them, embracing Piers, and the hills beyond, is one of 
the richest and most pleasing rural pictures that can 
be offered to the eye. Nothing is wanting but ruined 
castles and recollections, to raise it to the level of the 
scenery of the Rhine, or, indeed, to thxit of the minor 
Swiss views. 

Prospect rock, which lies on the same range with 
the Vision, also offers a good view of the village and 
the valley, though it does not command as extensive an 
horizon as the first. 

The mountains south of Coope-rstown form a back- 
ground of great beauty, and it is seldom that a more 
graceful and waving outline of forest is met with any 
where. The Black hills in particular, are exceedingly 
fine, and are supposed to be nearly a thousand feet 
above the level of the lake. 

As the valley of Cooperstown is about twelve hun- 
dred feet above tide, it will readily be conceived that 
the summers are cool and the air inviooratino-. These 
facts are very apj^arent to those who come from the low 
counties during the warm months. Even with the 
thermometer at eighty, as sometimes happens, there is 
a sensible difference between the oppression produced 
by the heat here, and by that produced by the same 
heat at a less elevation. The lake also, has the effect 
to produce a circulation of air, it being seldom that 
there is not a breeze either up or down this beautiful 
sheet of water. 

The banks of the lake abound with eligible situations 



80 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

for country houses. On its western side, there is 
scarcely a quarter of a mile without one. and we feel 
persuaded that nothing but a good road to the Mohawk 
is wanting to bring this spot into so much favor as 
shall line the shores of the Otsego with villas. As the 
roads now are, it requires but twenty hours to go to 
New York, and by the improvements that are in pro- 
gress there is reason to expect this time will ere long 
be shortened to ten or twelve hours. When that day 
shall arrive, we predict that Cooperstown, during five 
months of the year, will become a place of favorite re- 
sort for those who wish a retreat from the dust and 
heat of the larger towns. 

The society of this place is already of a higher order 
than that of most villages of its size. In this respect, 
Cooperstown has always been remarkable, more liberal 
tastes and a better style of living having prevailed in 
the place. from its commencement than is usually to be 
found in new countries. At different periods, many 
families and individuals accustomed to the best society 
of the country have dwelt here, and they have imparted 
to the place the habits and tone of their own condition 
in life. So far from gaining by a eloser connection 
with the commercial towns therefore, in this respect, 
there is reason to think that the village might not be 
better off than it is at present. 

Lying as it does off the great routes, the village of 
Cooperstown is less known than it deserves to be. Few 
persons visit it without acknowledging the beauties of 
its natural scenery and the general neatness and de- 
cency of the place itself. The floating population, it is 
true, has brought in some of that rudeness and trouble- 
some interference which characterizes the mio^ratins; 
and looser portion of the American people; but a feel- 
ing has been awakened among the old inhabitants that 
is beginning to repel this innovation, and we already, 
in this class, see signs of a return to the ancient deport- 
ment, which was singularly respectable, having been 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 81 

equally free from servile meanness and obtrusive vul- 
garity. One or two instances of audacious assumptions 
of a knowledge of facts and of a right to dictate, on the 
part of strangers, have recently met with rebukes that 
will probably teach others caution, if they do not teach 
them modesty. On the whole, the feeling of the com- 
munity is sound, and is little disposed to tolerate this 
interference with the privileges of those who have ac- 
quired rights by time and a long connection with the 
place. 

It has been said, both directly and indirectly, that 
the village of Cooperstowu is well built; unlike most 
such places, its best houses are private residences, and 
not taverns. The Hall and Edgewat^r are both Ame- 
rican country houses of the first class. The house of 
Mr. Henry Phinney, which is sometimes called the 
Locusts, is a very pretty pavilion of considerable size, 
and the building is well finished and in good style ; all 
three are of brick. Woodside is also a substantial and 
respectable dwelling, in stone. Lakelands is not a very 
large house, but it is well placed, and is finished more 
like a villa than any other building around it. Apple 
hill has a house of no great beauty, but the situation 
is much the best within the limits of the village. The 
present house at Fenimore is respectable, though with 
very little pretensions to architecture ; but the whole 
of the grounds are delightful, and the site of the old 
building is one of the most beautiful in the state, for a 
residence of that character. In addition to these places, 
which, from possessing select grounds, are the most 
conspicuous, there are a dozen other dwellings that 
have more or less advantages, and some of which are 
also well placed. Even many of the buildings that 
stand directly on the principal streets are above the 
ordinary level, and the general impression made on the 
observer is that of respectability and good taste. Many 
of the houses have gardens, though the original plan 
prevented the introduction of court yards, of which 



82 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

tliere are but eiglit or ten that deserve the name in the 
place. 

The present condition of Cooperstown is sufficiently 
prosperous, without being in that state of feverish ex- 
citement that has afflicted so many other small towns. 
The trade is not great, but it is steady and profitable. 
The village contains six dry goods stores, all of which 
are on a respectable scale ; four groceries ; two drug- 
gists ; hatters, watchmakers and jewelers, tinmen, and 
the customary number of more common* mechanics, 
such as tailors, shoemakers, blacksmiths, &c., &t3., some 
of which establishments are on a scale larger than 
common. 

Distinctly within the recollectionof many now living, 
or some forty years ago, tliere were not probably half a 
dozen pianofortes, if as many, in the state west of 
Schenectady. There was one in the Hall, which was 
certainly the only one in the county of Otsego at that 
time. There are now two manufactories of the instru- 
ment in the village, both of which also make organs, 
and no less than thirty-five private houses in which 
pianos are to be found. Three of the churches have 
organs. Lessons in music are given by three different 
competent persons, and a good taste in this delightful 
art is fast obtaining. 

There are two boarding schools for females in Coop- 
erstown, though no good classical school for boj'S has 
ever existed in the place. The proximity to the Hart- 
wick Academy, distant only five miles, is supposed to 
retard the accomplishment of so desirable an object. 
Nevertheless, a higher order of instruction is gradually 
coming into use, particularly among the females, and 
as Cooperstown has always possessed good models, it is 
hoped the attainments and principles which render the 
sex so attractive and useful, as well as respectable, will 
take deep root in the community. As they improve 

* Mr. Cooper, by the term " common," here means, of course, general, i. e., 
mechanics generally found in all places. 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 83 

their minds and tastes, the young of that sex, on 
whose example so much depends, will obtain new 
sources of happiness, which, while they create a disrel- 
ish for the less refined amusements, will give them a 
still higher standard of attainments, juster notions of 
their own dignity, and an increasing dislike for those 
familiar and unladylike pursuits that are too apt to 
form the aim of a mere village belle. The term vil- 
lage belle, however, is inapplicable to the state of so- 
ciety that already exists in this little community, and 
we regard, with satisfaction, the signs of a more gene- 
ral advancement than formerly, in the accomplishments 
that mark an improved association, the possession 
of which is so certain, when carried beyond their ele- 
ments, to bring with it its own reward.. 

Cooperstown has two weekly newspapers, the Free- 
7nan's Journal and the Otsego RejyuhNcan, the former 
of which has always been esteemed for a respectable 
literary taste. In politics, as a matter of course, these 
papers are opposed to eacli other. 

There are nine practitioners in the law, at present 
residing in the village, viz : Messrs. Campbell, Crippen, 
Morehouse, Cooper, Bowne, Walworth, Lathrop, Stark- 
weather and Turner. William H. Averell, Esquire, is 
also in the profession, but he does not practice. Of 
these gentlemen, Messrs. Averell and Cooper are natives 
of the place ; Messrs. Campbell and Crippen of the 
county. 

The principal mercantile firms are those of H. B. & 
Gr. W. Ernst, L. McNamee, E. D. Richardson & Co., 
J. Stowell, John Russell & Co., and H. Lathrop & Co. 
Most of these gentlemen are natives of the village, or 
of the country immediately around it. Mr. McNamee 
is a European by birth, but he has resided in Coopers- 
town, as a merchant, thirty-six years. 

There are four practising physicians at present, viz : 
Doctors Spafard, Curtis, Johnson and Harper. 

The printing establishment of Messrs. H. & E. 



84 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

Phinaey is one of the most extensive manufactories 
in the village, if not the most extensive. It ordinarily 
employs about forty hands, of both sexes, and consumes 
annually 3000 reams of pa^^er. It has five presses in 
almost constant use. Large Bibles and school books 
are chiefly produced. Of the former, this house pub- 
lishes 8000 copies annually. It also publishes 60,000 
volumes of other books, chiefly school books, and 200,- 
000 almanacs, toy books, &c. 

The tannery is still kept up, and it produces a con- 
siderable amount of leather, annually. Iron castings 
are also made in the village.* The manufactory of 
Messrs. E. & H. Corey, in cabinet ware, pails, &c., &c., 
is on a respectable scale. The manufactory of hats, 
by J. R. Worthiugton,"}" an establishment that has 
passed into the second generation of the same family, 
is also considerable. Mr. Stephen Gregory has long had 
a respectable shoe store and manufactory, that is still 
kept up. The industry of the place, however, as a 
whole, is directed more towards supplying the wants of 
the surrounding country, than to exportation. In this 
sense, the business is considerable, and is gradually in- 
creasing, with the growing wealth of the count3^ 

Although Coopers town, which has now had an exist- 
ence of half a century, may not have produced any 
very eminent men, it has had a fair proportion of re- 
spectable citizens. Several young artists and mechan- 
ics, that were born here, have risen to some notoriety 
in their several callings, and the clergy and members 
of the bar, have generally maintained respectable sta- 
tions in their respective professions. 

Cooperstown for the last twenty years has been 
rather remarkable for its female population. Perhaps 
no place of its size can boast of a finer collection of 
young women than this village, the salubrity of the 

* Neither casting nor tanning is now carried on here. 
t Ralph Worthington manufactured hats here in 1302. 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 85 

climate appearing to favor the development of their 
forms and constitutions. The beauty, indeed, of the 
sex in this village, has been celebrated in verse even, 
and we think quite justly. 

As the growth and improvement of Cooperstown 
have been steady, and, with very trifling exceptions, 
regularly progressive, they may be expected to continue 
in the same ratio, for a long time to come. We shall 
have no mushroom city, but there is little doubt that 
in the course of time, as the population of the country 
fills up, this spot will contain a provincial town of im- 
portance. The beauty of its situation, the lake, the 
purity of the air, and the other advantages already 
pointed out, seem destined to make it more peculiarly 
a place of resort, for those who live less for active life, 
than for its elegance and ease. It is highly probable 
that, half a century hence, the shores of the lake will 
be lined with country residences, when the village will 
be the centre of their supplies of every kind. Were 
an effort made, even now, by the erection of proper 
lodging houses, the establishment of reading rooms 
and libraries, and the embellishment of a few of the 
favorable spots, in the way of public promenades and 
walks, it strikes us that it would be quite easy to bring 
the place into request, as one of resort for the inhabit- 
ants of the large towns during the warm months. 
The mode adopted in the smaller European towns, 
would be the most suitable for commencing such an 
experiment. If a few persons with narrow incomes, 
and who possessed proper buildings, were to fit up 
rooms, as parlors and bed rooms, a set in each house, 
furnish the breakfasts and tea, and, if required, the 
dinner, persons of fortune would be induced to fre- 
quent the place, would pay liberal prices, and the vil- 
lage in a few years, would reap the benefit of a large 
expenditure. The system of common boarding houses 
will not for a long time draw to Cooperstown company 
in suflicient numbers to remunerate ; or company even 

8 



86 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

of the riglit quality ; but half a dozen furnished lodg- 
ings, on a respectable scale, we think would lay the 
foundation of a system that might prove to be exceed- 
ingly serviceable to the interests of the place. There 
is everything that is wanted for such an object, and, as 
society produces society, a few years would bring an 
accession of this important requisite, that would be 
certain to sustain itself. 

To conclude, Cooperstown is evidently destined to 
occupy some such place among the towns of New York, 
as is now filled by the villages and towns on the shores 
of the lakes of Westmoreland, in England, and by the 
several hourgs on those of the different waters of 
Switzerland. The period of this consummation may 
be advanced, or it may be retarded by events ] though 
nothing will be so likely to hasten it, as to provide the 
means of comfortable private lodgings. As it is^ 
scarcely a summer passes that families do not reluct- 
antly go from this beautiful spot, to others less favored 
by nature, and with an inferior society, in consequence 
of their being unable to obtain the required accom- 
modations. Still every thing shows a direction towards 
this great end, among which may be mentioned the 
increasing taste for boating, for music, the languages, 
and other amusements and accomplishments of the 
sort, that bespeak an improving civilization. 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN". 



4 ^■» » » 



DISCOVERY. 

Tlie first footsteps of tlie white man imprinted upon 
the soil of Cooperstown, according to the writer's re- 
searches, bear the date of 1737, made 125 years ago. 
At that time the name of Otsego lake seems to have 
been unknown to the civilized world. Previous to it, 
the smoke of the wigwam rose through the lofty 
branches of the primeval forest, and the only music 
heard was that of nature, a principal part of which was 
the howl of the wolf, the scream of the panther, and 
the whoop of the Indian. 

In 1737, Cadwallader Golden, surveyor-general, in 
his report to the Hon. George Clarke, lieutenant-gov- 
ernor of the province of New York, made this state- 
ment : " At 50 miles from Albany, the land carriage 
from the Mohawk river to a lake, from whence the 
northern branch of the Susquehanna takes its rise, 
does not exceed 14 miles. Groods may be carried from 
this lake in battoes or flat-bottomed vessels, through 
Pennsylvania, to Maryland and Virginia, the current 
of the river running everywhere easy." 

After the jingle of the surveyor's chain had passed 
away, we learn no more of these regions until the Rev. 
Gideon Hawley, a man " ordained a missionary to the 
Indians, in the Old South meeting house [of Boston], 
when the Rev. Dr. Sewall preached on the occasion, 



88 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

and tlie Rev. Mr. Prince gave tlie charge/' wrote in 
1753 : " May 31st. We met with difficulty about get- 
ting a canoe, and sent an Indian into the woods to get 
ready a bark, but he made small progress. In the 
afternoon came from Otsego lake, which is the source 
of this stream " — the Susquehanna, 

While on his way hither, he witnessed a scene which 
contrasts strikingly with the Christian worship of this 
village. " We came to a resting place, and breathed 
our horses and slaked our thirst at a stream, when we 
perceived our Indian looking for a stone, which having 
found, he cast to a heap which for ages had been accu- 
mulating by passengers like him who was our guide." 

" I have observed in every part of the country, and 
among every tribe of Indians, and among those where 
I now am, in a particular manner, such heaps of stones 
or sticks collected on the like occasion as the above. 

" This custom or rite is an acknowledgment of an 
invisible being.'' 

Next came Gren, Washington, on an exploring expe- 
dition in 1783, and after him the actual settlers, as 
stated in the Chronicles. And that none may question 
the fact that he stood upon the site of Cooperstown 
and viewed its beautiful surroundings, let these words 
of his own letter be considered : " I then traversed 
the country to the head of the eastern branch of the 
Susquehanna, and viewed the lahe Otsego. ^^ 

CORPORATION. 

The grounds at first laid out for the village comprised 
about 112 acres in 1799. The first public efl"ort made 
for its incorporation was the publishing of the follow- 
ing article in the Otsego Herald, of March 13th, 1806 : 

To the Inhabitants of the Village of Cooperstown : 

The site on which this village now stands was, a few 
years since, a dreary wilderness, and its inhabitants 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 89 

were those of the forest only. By our industry, per- 
severance and endurance of many hardships we have 
raised to ourselves a compact and flourishing town, and 
there is a rational prospect, if we continue united and 
faithful to our own interests, that at no very distant 
period of time our population will be so much increased, 
the industrious farmers in our vicinity will find a good 
and permanent market for the produce of their lands, 
and mutual benefits will result from the exchange. 

An incorporation of the village for certain purposes 
is, in my opinion, necessary to promote our prosperity, 
and render the property we have obtained more secure 
from the ravages of that element of all others the most 
destructive in its progress. I need not ask you, what 
would be our situation if a fire should take place in the 
most compact part of the village ? Without any of 
the necessary means to stop its progress, such a ques 
tion is superfluous. I need not ask you, how much 
money and time are annually expended in procuring 
water ? Your daily complaint upon this subject is a 
sufficient answer. Money we say is hard to be got, and 
time, it is said, is more precious than money, yet, of 
both we have expended much, and, I ask, to what pur- 
pose ? It is an undoubted fact that the article of water 
has cost us, at the lowest coinjnitation, between three 
and four thousand dollars, a sum nearly sufficient to 
supply it in a permanent manner, and enable our pos- 
terity to say that their fathers were faithful stewards. 

I mention these things, my fellow townsmen, that 
you may take them into serious consideration ; and if 
you should think them of consequence, that you may 
prepare in your minds a plan to be presented to the 
next Legislature for our incorporation. 

ONE or YOU. 

In March, 1807, the village of Cooperstown was first 
incorporated under the name of The Village of 
Otsego. This name it retained for five years, during 



90 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

which period there was considerable dissatisfaction on 
account of the change from the original name by which 
it had been designated by common consent. 

On the 12th of June, 1812, by an act of the Legis- 
lature the former name of Cooperstown was restored 
to the village. 

The village charter was so amended on the 30th of 
April, 1829, as to include its present territory, desig- 
nated thus : 

§ 1. The district of country within the town of 
Otsego in the county of Otsego, contained in the fol- 
lowing bounds, to wit : beginning at the east side of 
the outlet of lake Otsego ; thence down the Susque- 
hanna river along the east bank thereof as it winds 
and turns, to the southwest corner of Augustus Gard- 
ner's lands ; thence westerly on a line parallel with 
the road leading westerly from Gardner's mills to King 
Bingham's house, one mile ; thence north until it strikes 
the north line of the land late property of John Mil- 
ler ; thence east along said line to lake Otsego, and 
from thence along the margin of said lake to the place 
of beginning, shall be known and distinguished by the 
name of the YrLLAGE of Cooperstown. 

The first charter election was held May, 1807, at the 
Court House. It was called by " E. Metcalf, Justice 
of the Peace^ 

The ordinances of the present charter were adopted 
at the office of John A. Dix, now major-general and 
the present commandant of Fortress Monroe, in July, 
1830, who was then a resident of this village. 



BUSINESS PLACES, JANUARY, 1847. 

[Compiled by S. B. Champion.] 

Printing Offices. — Freeman's Journal, John H. 
Prentiss, Editor, circulation 2000 ; Otsego Repub- 
lican, Andrew M. Barber, Editor,, circulation 1,200 \. 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 91 

H. & E. Phinney, printers, publishers, book binders 
and booksellers. 

Dry GrOODS Stores. — Cash and Credit Store, by 
Joshua H. Story; Cash and Accommodation Store, 
by James Cockett & Co. ; Arcade Store, by George 
W. Ernst; Albany Store, by Jackson D. Wood; 
Chequered Store, by George A. Thayer; Green 
Store, by Abel H. Clark & Co. ; New Store, by Peter 
R. Winne ; others : Edwin P. Lewis, Lawrence Mc 
Namee. 

Hardavare and Groceries. — Robert Davis, Seth 
Doubleday, Alfred Robinson. 

Groceries and Eating Saloons. — Solomon A. Bail- 
ey, George Grant, Stephen Groat, A. Kelley, F. 
Pennington. 

Hatters, &c. — John R. Worthington, Harvey Hollis- 
ter, Hiram S. Babcock. 

Jewelers. — Perry G. Tanner, William Nichols, Jesse 
Graves, Henry P. Cooley. 

Stove Dealers. — Stillman & Wood, Lyman Smith & 
Co. 

Drugs and Medicines. — William A. Comstock & Co., 
Parley E. Johnson. 

Paints, Oils, Cabinet and Hardware. — E. & H. 
Cory. 

Wool Dealers. — Chandler Root & Bro. 

Hotels. — Eagle Tavern by Wm. Lewis, Temperance 
House by R. E. Robinson, Otsego Hotel by Willough- 
by & Doty, Empire House by Edwiji Pier, Town 

Pump Hotel by Alfred Carr; Keyes, formerly 

by Fitch. 

Saddles and Harness. — George Story, Benj. F. 
Kipp. 

Piano Fortes. — Chauncey D. Pease. 

Cabinet Makers. — E. & H. Cory, William Perkins, 
Richard A. Leslie, C. D. Pease, Ed. Dunavan. 

Carpenters. — H. F,.& Thomas Clarke, Smith & Bloom- 
field, T. Lacy, Ariel Thayer. 



92 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

Chair Makers. — E. Edwards, E. & H. Cory, Wm. 
Perkins. 

Tinners. — L. Smith & Co., Stillman & Wood, Alvin 
Potter. 

Blacksmiths. — Fisli & Paine, S. T. Winslow, P. 
Hewes, Geo. W. Holmes. 

Shoe Shops. — Beadle & Bailey, Jacob Gr. Bush, Wm. 
Persons, Jabez Weeks, Seeley. 

Barbers. — H. H. Tidball, Abner Graves, jr. 

Tailors. — Richard Cooley, Philo J. Weeks, Abner 
Graves, jr. ' 

Butchers. — Moses Lippett, Pierce & Field. 

Tanner. — Rensselaer Waterman. 

Furnace. — George W. Holmes. 

Painters. — Edwin S. Coffin, E. & H. Cory, Silas A. 
Nash. 

Wagon Makers. — Cyrus H. Burns, John Brewer. 

Physicians. — James L. Fox, Consider King, P. E. 
Johnson, Thomas Smith, Wm. J. McNamee, F. G. 
Thrall, James M. Peak. 

Water Cure. — Philip Roof. 

Dentists. — Eliab P. Byram, James M. Peak. 

Portrait Painters. — H. B. Wight, Manches- 
ter. 

Law Offices. — Starkweather & Field, Campbell & 
Wood, Morehouse & Lathrop, Walworth & Palmer, 
Schuyler Crippen, John B. Steele, Luther I. Bur- 
ditt, Wm. H. Averell, Richard Cooper. 

Justices' Offices. — Hiram S. Babcoek, Harvey Per- 
kins. 

Cooper. — C. Bartholomew. 

Societies.— I. O. of R., Otsego Tent, No. 131 ; I. 0. 
of 0. F., Otsego Lodge, No. 103. 

Milliners. — Miss R. F. Loper, Misses Knapp & 
Brooks. 

Mantua Makers. — Miss L. A. Bourne. 

Tailoresses. — Mrs. Botsford, Mrs. Carpenter, Miss 
Kelley. 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 93 



POPULATION. , 

In 1791, there were 100 inhabitants. 

In 1810, there were 300 males, 220 females; free 
colored, 12 ; slaves, 12 — total 544, _ 

. In 1812, population 686, houses 133, b'arns 57. 

In 1816, population 826, houses 183, barns 68. 

In 1820, free males, 371; free females, 387 ; slaves — 
1 male, 2 females ; colored — free males, 6 ; females, 16 — 
total, 783. 

In 1830 the population was 1118 ; in 1838 it was 
about 1300 ; in 1841 it was 1300. 

In 1855, males, 773; females, 937— total 1710. 
Dwellings, 235 ; families, 292. During this year the 
students were numerous in the seminary. 

In 1860, males, 712; females, 851; colored — males, 
6; females, 7 — total, 1576. 

BUSINESS IN 1861. 

DEALERS. TRADE. 

DjiY GrOODS. — J. H. Story, Gr. W. Ernst, 

Cockett & Marvin, N. W. Cole, $107,190 

Fancy GtOODS. — Grant & Co., J. J. Short, 

Mrs. B. F. Beadle, 21,104 

Hardware, Paints, &c. — E. & H. Cory, 

Browning & Hooker, C. J. Stillman, . . . 60,000 

Grocery and Provision. — Robert Davis, 

A. Robinson, H. Groat, H. S. Babcock, . 28,000 

Drugs, Medicines, &c. — Clarence Roof, 

Bingham & Jarvis, W. A. Comstock, . . . 55,039 

Boots and Shoes. — H. N. Robinson, Bai- 
ley & Thompson, B. F. Beadle, 24,000 

Tailoring, Clothing, Furs, &c. — John- 
son & Field, N. H. Lake, A. Graves 39,000 

Butchery. Smith & Ball, Wood & Co., . 17,500 

Jewelry. — C. R. Burch, P. G. Tanner, J. 

A. Schrom, 14,000 



94 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

Harness, Trunk, and Trimming. — Geo. 

Story, A. Feagles, $15,000 

Printing. — James I. Heudryx, S. M. 

Shaw, 12,000 

Cabinet and Chair. — E. Edwards, S. 

Harper, J. 0. Bush, 6,600 

Millinery, &c. — Miss Loper, Misses Wil- 
liams, Miss Hewes, Mrs. Bush, Mrs. Has- 
well, 20,800 

Photographic. — W. G. Smith, L. M. 

Bolles, F. W. Burnet, 2,700 

Smithery. — Fish & Cox, Winslow & Well- 
man, Best & Carr, Patrick Hewes, G^o. 
Holmes, 12,000 

Staging. — Kendall & Hawes, 10,000 

Book.— W. H. Buggies & Co. 

Book Binding. — E. W. Crandal. 

Grist and Saw Mills. — Stephen Gregory. 

Hats, Caps and Fur. — E. Hollister. 

These last branches, together with other mis- 
cellaneous business, may be estimated at 25,000 

Wool, Butter and Cheese. — M. B. An- 
gel, 18,000 

Hops. — John F. Scott, A. A. Brown, J. 
P. Sill, R. Waterman, M. B. Angel, 
Andrew Shaw, Jr., Robert Quaif, 495,368 

Hotels. — Empire House, J. E. Brown; 
Eagle Hotel, Maj. Wm. Lewis; Ameri- 
can Hotel, W. C. Keyes ; Otsego House, 
D. L. Keyes; Pavilion, D. Peck; Carr's 
Hotel. Aggregate of business, 37,000 

Banks. — Bank of Cooperstown, Otsego Co. 
Bank, Worthington Bank; aggregate 

capital, $450,000 

Total average of deposits in 1861, 368,336 

» " ~" circulation, 1861...... 358,643 

" " loajis and disc'ts, 1861,. 653,900 



Total business of the village in 1861, $2,401,180 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 95 

The above estimate of business has been made with 
much care, and, it is believed with accuracy. In some 
instances other kinds of trade, to some extent, besides 
that in the branch mentioned, are carried on, the lead- 
ing business of the j5rm, store, or shop, giving name to 
all which is there transacted. 

The difficulty which would have been encountered 
by an attempt to classify all kinds of business with pre- 
cision, may be illustrated by an aneedote of one of the 
oldest and most respectable firms of the village. It 
runs thus: 

A and B were conversing of this firm, when A re- 
marked : 

" I'll bet five dollars vou can't call for a thing at 
Corys' which they will not produce." 

B. — " I'll take that bet; lay your wager." 

The stakes having been deposited in a third man's 
hands, they repaired to the omniwni gatlierum^ where 
the second scene oj)ened as follows : 

B. — "Mr. Cory, I want to buy ap?^/^zY; have you 
one to sell ?" 

Mr. C. — "Yes, I believe so; we bought an old 
church a few years ago, and we thought we would not 
tear the pulpit to pieces. I'll show it to you, if you 
will go with me." 

B.— " I give it up. A, the money is yours." 



TOWN OF OTSEGO IN 1821. 

Manufactured — Fulled cloth, 7318 yards; flannel, 
9733 yards; linen, 16,003 yards. 

Grist mills, 9 ; saw mills, 17 ; oil mill, 1 ; fulling 
mills, 4; paper mills, 2 ; carding machines, 8; printing 
offices, 3; card factory, 1; cotton and woolen factory, 1; 
triphammer, 1 ; distilleries, 7 ; asheries, 3. 
^^ Population of the town in 1801, 4,026; in 1850, 
8,901. 



96 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 



OTSEGO COUNTY. 

Population in 1801, whites, 21,343; slaves, 43. 
Population in 1810, 38,802. 

Population in 1821, males, 22,303; females, 22,276; 
free colored, 235 ; slaves, 16 — total, 44,830. 
Population in 1850, 48,638; in 1855, 49,749. 
The valuation of the county in 1815, $6,253,537. 
County tax in 1815, $11,035. 

FIRST CORONERS. 

These were James Averell, Esq., of Cooperstown, 
and Luke May, Esq., of Cherry Valley. They were 
appointed in 1798. 

We conclude that these two gentlemen were the first 
coroners, from circumstances, one of which is here 
given. 

In 1797, a boy 16 years old was frozen to death in 
Burlington, and was not found until after four months 
from his death. When he was found nearly 200 men 
were present, and they knew of no coroner in the county. 

COUNTY BUILDINGS. 

Since the settlement of Cooperstown, it has had three 
Court Houses and Jails. The first Court House stood on 
the southeast corner of Second and West streets. The 
second stood near the location of the last, but farther 
back from the street. It was burned on the evenins; of 
Dec. 17th, 1840. 

Early in 1841, vigorous measures were taken by indi- 
viduals in Hartwick and Portlandville to effect a removal 
of the county seat from Cooperstown. But the effort 
was ineffectual, the question of location having been 
settled by three referees, chosen out of the county, who 
decided in favor of Cooperstown, in May, 1841. In 
June of this year, $10,000 were appropriated for the 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 97 

erection of the present county buildings. In July, 
Messrs. Peter Becker. Harvey Clarke, and Thomas 
Clarke took the contract for erecting these buildings 
for $9,974. The Court House is built of stone, and is 
46 feet by 56. The Jail and Sheriff's House are con- 
nected, built of stone, 37 feet by 73. The building for 
the county clerk's office is of brick, well proportioned 
and finished, and accommodates the surrogate in hold- 
ing his courts. 

The foundation of the Court House was commenced 
July 10th, and the superstructure, the walls of the Jail 
and Sheriff's House, were finished Oct. 2d, 1841. Six 
window grates of the Jail cost $145,86. Their weight 
was 1872 pounds. The doors weighed 1970 pounds. 

BANKS. 

At the time of the applications of the citizens here 
to the legislature for the incorporation of a bank in the 
village, the general opposition to banks was so great 
that a long and vigorous effort was necessary to secure 
this desirable object, as will be seen by the following 
brief history of 

The Otsego County Bank. 

At a meeting held Oct. 20th, 1813, of which Dr. 
Thos. Fuller was chairman, a committee, consisting of 
Robert Campbell, John Russell, and George Morell, was 
appointed to draft a bill of incorporation. This bill 
was presented to the legislature, and was lost in the 
assembly in April, 1814. 

On the 2d of December, 1824, the attempt was 
renewed at a meeting of sundry persons, held afc 
Dwight's Inn, when Lawrence McNamee was chairman 
and John H. Prentiss was secretary. A committee 
of forty-nine prominent gentlemen was then appointed 
to promote the bank enterprise. The capital proposed 
was $250,000. In April, 1829, the petition for a bank 

9 



98 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

here was rejected in the senate. Finally, on the 7tli 
of April, 1830, the Otsego County Bank was legally 
incorporated, much to the joy of the citizens of our 
county. 

The bank books were opened June 1st, and within 
three days 11,888 shares were taken, making a sub- 
scription of $297,200, over $100,000 of which was 
taken in Cooperstown. 

Its First Officers. — Robert Campbell, president. 
Henry Scott, cashier. 

Directors — Robert Campbell, Henry Phinney, Wil- 
liam H. Averell, Samuel Starkweather, Thomas Fuller, 
Calvin Graves, Henry Scott, Lawrence McNamee, John 
Russell, Joseph Moss, Joseph White, Levi Beardsley, 
Alvan Stewart. 

Henry Phinney was elected president Oct. 2d, 1847, 
as the successor of Mr. Campbell, and held his office 
until his death, Sept., 1850. 

Elihu Phinney was the next president, serving from 
October, 1850, to Jan. 1st, 1851. 

Henry Scott was then elected president, and con- 
tinued as such about one year. 

William H. Averell was chosen as president in Feb., 
1855, and now holds that office. 

Mr. Henry Scott has been cashier of this bank from 
its beginning, and fully merits all the praise bestowed 
upon him as a gentleman who has truly magnified his 
office during the long period of more than thirty years, 
serving as cashier even while he was president, and 
preferring the former to the latter office. 

Mr. Charles W. Smith is the present teller. 

The Bank of Cooperstown. 

The following extract from the local of the Free- 
mail's Journal of Oct 15th, 1852, is the first public 
notice which we find of this institution. The editor 
said: "We are informed that F. A. Lee, Esq., is 
about to retire^ from mercantile business in which he 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 99 

has been long and successfully engaged in the city of 
New York, and has made arrangements for establishing 
a new banking institution in our village." 

The Bank of Cooperstown was organized in January 
1853, with a capital of $150,000. 

First officers. — Calvin Graves, president \ Theodore 
Keese, vice-president ; Frederick A. Lee, cashier; 
Horace Lathrop, attorney. 

Directors. — Calvin Graves, Theodore Keese, John H. 
Prentiss, Frederick A. Lee, Horace Lathrop, Jedediah 
P. Sill, George B. Warren, Ceylon North, George W. 
Chase, Ansel C. Moore, Harvey Strong. 

In 1854, its capital was increased to $200,000. In 
September, 1856, Frederick A. Lee, Esq., was elected 
president, and Dorr Russell, Esq., was appointed cashier. 

Mr. Lee having relinquished business in consequence 
of severe and protracted illness, Theodore Keese, Esq., 
was elected his successor as president in January, 1857, 
and remained in office until his decease, September, 1858. 

In October following the late Hon. John H. Prentiss 
was chosen president and remained as such until his 
death in June, 1861. 

Its present officers are : Jedediah P. Sill, president; 
G. Pomeroy Keese, vice-president ; Dorr Bussell, 
cashier ; Frederick G. Lee, teller. 

Its present Directors are — Jedediah P. Sill, G. Pome- 
roy Keese, Horace Lathrop, Ansel C. Moore, Harvey 
Strong, George B. Warren, William E. Cory, Schuyler 
Crippen, Samuel M. Shaw, John F. Scott, Dorr lius- 
sell. 

The Worthingtok Bank. 

This is an individual institution, and while the day 
of small things is by no means to be despised, it forms 
a pleasing contrast to the hat shop of Ralph Wortli- 
ington (father of the present banker), as it appeared in 
this village in 1802. It is also an index of the personal 
enterprise of manj of our citizens. 



100 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

It was chartered March 1st, 1855. Its capital then 
was $50,000, and is the same at present. 

Officers. — J. R. Worthington, president; John 
Worthington, cashier. 

CLERKS. 

In speaking of this class of our citizens we need 
only to repeat what was publicly said of them in a vil- 
lage paper of 1854 : " Take them as a class, and we 
do not believe there is a village in the state which can 
turn out a more obliging, faithful and competent set of 
clerks than may be found in this place.'' 

WATER WORKS. 

Although the village has several very fine living 
springs, yet from the first it has expended much time 
and money in bringing water from a distance. One of 
these springs is impregnated with mineral qualities 
which might make it of medicinal service, were it 
properly isolated. 

As early as in March, 1806, one of the leading citi- 
zens stated that already they had expended " between 
three and four thousand dollars" for the " article of 
water." In 1798 it was brought into the village from 
the western mountain, in logs under ground. In 1827 
a water company was here incorporated. 

The supply now is what may be called ample, al- 
though, as the agent, Mr. Jarvis, says, " the bottoms of 
the wells that are not too hard for use fall out in dry 
times." It is brought into the village from two di- 
rections. The one branch, properly called 

The Croton, 

was brought in from the north-west, a distance of 
three-fourths of a mile in 1845. This supply was in- 
sufiicient, and therefore, in 1847, another branch was 
established, which I shall take the liberty to name. 



history of cooperstown. 101 

The Fairmount Water. 

This is conducted in logs under ground, from a 
spring south of the village, to the grist mill of Stephen 
Gregory, a distance of 100 rods, having a fall of 20 
feet. 

At the mill is a force pump, acting on the same prin- 
ciple of the celebrated Fairmount Works, which raises 
the spring water about 80 feet into a reservoir, whence 
it is distributed throughout the village. 

These works now have about three and a quarter 
miles of pipe, of which about two and a half miles are 
iron. 

Whole cost of works to the present company up to 
1862, is $8000. 

The Town Pump, 

Is supplied by an extraordinary spring, and is free to 
all, except for horses, &c. There have been times, 
when it supplied nearly the whole village. 



COOPERSTOWN GAS LIGHT COMPANY. 

This was originated in March, 1861, principally by 
Mr. F. T. Story of Watertown. The works are on 
West street, near Capt. Cooper's Landing. On the 1st 
of July of the same year, 43 business places and 
dwellings were piped and lighted. In January, 1862, 
there were 64 consumers. 

The quality of the gas is superior, made from rosin, 
at $7 per 1000 feet, condensed. Capital to be about 
$12,500. 

Associates. — AVilliam E. Cory, John F. Scott, Dorr 
Russell, G. Pomeroy Keese, Frederick T. Story. 

Prmcipal Manager. — Dorr Russell. 

Gas Fitter and Superintendent. — Charles Marshal. 



102 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 



SIDE WALKS. 

These are made of hemlock planks. They will 
average about five feet in width, the planks being well 
laid and nailed to small sleepers. The whole length of 
these walks is five and a half miles. We hear of no 
other village so well furnished with walks as this. 

There is but one part of the village that appears to 
strangers as materially neglected, and that is the 
Cooper grounds, a part the most worthy of attention. 
The fault of this neglect is said to be due to the owner 
of those grounds rather than to the corporation. Their 
location and associations, if they could be reasonably 
purchased, are all that are needed to render them a 
most attractive village park, with little expense of im- 
provement. 

TELEGRAPH. 

This connects with the great lines that traverse the 
Mohawk valley, and was established in November, 
1851. H. S. Babeock, Esq., has been its operator 
from the first, except during a brief interval, when 
Mr. M. D. Peake officiated. 

STAGING. 

In Sept., 1827, a daily stage ran from Albany to 
this villao'e. 

The stages between Cooperstown and Fort Plain 
were started April, 1828, by Hall & Hopkins, running 
twice a week; time, seven hours. 

In Sept., 1829, a line of stages was started from 
Albany to Ithaca, passing through Cooperstown three 
times a week. 

In June, 1855, two lines of stages from this place to 
Fort Plain, were started by Kendall, Gage & Co., and 
these have been kept running each summer ever since, 
oiae stage being taken off during the winter. 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 103 

At the present, in 1862, the route is managed by 
Kendall & Hawes. Since 1855 the staging between 
here and Fort Plain has given not only satisfaction, 
but it has been the subject of much commendation for 
its good time and good management in every way. 
Cooperstown, for its own interests, should see to it that 
its connection with the rail road is as immediate, relia- 
ble and pleasant as possible. Passengers in 1861, 
about 6000. 

The present proprietors have an express connected 
with their stage line. 

Other lines of stages run in all directions from this 
place, some daily, some oftener and some less frequent. 

POST OFFICE. 

This is one of the most important institutions of the 
village, and always merits what it now has — a patient, 
courteous postmaster. Its territory of patrons has 
greatly diminished since 1795, when it had a diameter 
from Tioga to Canajoliarle^ as seen by reference to a 
note in the 3d chapter of the Chronicles. At present 
its greatest diameter extends only about 8 miles north 
and south. 

During the year 1861, the office received and sent 
as follows : 

Newspapers and Letters. 

Dailies received, 107; weeklies, 267 j semi-weeklies, 
20 ; monthlies, 275. 

Letters sent, 56^000; letters received, 40,000. 

E. S. Coffin, Postmaster. 

MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS. 

There are in the village : A bakery, by Bingham & 
Jarvis; a gunsmith, A. Swartwout; three tin shops; 
three barber shops; several saloons; two billiard rooms; 
one bowling alley; one manufactory of horse medicines^ 



104 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

&c., &c. There was a bakery in 1799, kept by Samuel 
Prentiss. Abner Graves was butcher in 1804. In 
September, 1803, Geo. Pomeroy advertised for sale at 
his drug store, " two tons of dye-woods and stuffs.'^ In 
1804, Jesse Graves advertised himself as gold and sil- 
versmith, clock and watchmaker, in Cooperstown. In 
1808, T. Gladding and A. James took profiles, which 
were like a shadow on a wall. In 1796, Timothy 
Barnes was here as clockmaker. In 1808, weaving 
reeds were made here by Isa.. Thurbur. There are now 
On the corporation twelve carpenters and joiners, seve- 
ral masons, and two cooper shoj^s. 

NEWSPx\PERS. 

The Otsego Herald^ or Western Advertiser^ was the 
first published in this village, and the second west of 
Albany. Its first number was issued April 3d, 1795, 
when Rochester was a swamp and Syracuse was a salt- 
lick. It was preceded by the Western Centinel, pub- 
lished at Whitesborough in January, 1794, by Oliver 
P. Eaton. Mr. Elihu Phinney was the Herald's editor 
and proprietor. Its motto from first to last was : 

" Historic truth our Herald shall proclaim, 
The law our guide, the public good our aim." 

It was folio, each page had four columns and was 17 
inches long by 10 in width. Its paper was very coarse, 
and some of it was nearly sky blue. Its type was good, 
and its terms were S2 a year. Its matter consisted 
mainly of foreign and home news, politics, poetry and 
advertisements, and three items under the head of 
anecdotes. 

The first advertisements were : A sheriff sale, by 
Benjamin Gilbert, sheriiF; dry goods, by Rensse-laer 
Williams; dissolution of copartnership, by Jeremiah 
Landon, Charles Mudge and Norman Landon; dry 
goods, by J. & N. Landon, as " coarse, broad and elas- 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 105 

tic cloths, from 23 to 44 shillings per yard," &c.', hard- 
ware, as " plated, washed and steel spurs, shoe and knee 
buckles, cow and sheep bells, cotton and wool cards;" 
Phinney's book store, etc., &c. 

This paper was continued by Mr. E. Phinuey until 
his death in 1813, after which it was published by his 
enterprising sons, H. & E. Phinney, up to the year 
1821. It was of incalculable value to the early settlers 
of this region. It had one striking peculiarity, indi- 
cating the kindness of its proprietor to the struggling 
pioneers — it never asked its readers for paij until the 
last number, January 29th, 1821. 

The Impartial Observer. 

This paper was started Oct. 22d, 1808. Its appear- 
ance provoked considerable hostility from the Otsego 
Herald^ which frankly avowed that, not from any per- 
sonal feelings, it should oppose the new paper as an 
intruder. The sharpness of its satire evidently had 
the effect to change the name of the intruder^ speak- 
ing of it as meriting only the first part of its name — 
hnp. 

Judge Cooper was the sole owner of the press and 
types. It was edited by W. Andrews, and was printed 
by J. H. & H. Prentiss. It had two mottoes. The 
first was from Junius : " Let it he impressed on your 
minds that the liberty of the press is the p(dladimn of all 
the civil, political and religious rights of freemen." 
The other was from Cicero : " Lihertas est potestas fa- 
ciundi id quod Jure liceat." 

Its first editorial contained this couplet : 

" Cursed be the line, how well soe'er it flow, 
That tends to make one worthy man my foe." 

It had four columns, and its terms were $2 a year. 

The connection of Mr. Andrews with the Imparticd 
Observer was but brief, after which John H. Prentiss 
became its proprietor and editor, changing its name to 



106 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

the Cooperstown FederaJht^ which name it bore until 
1828, when it was entitled the Freeman'' s Journal. In 
1849 Mr. Prentiss sold it to Messrs. Daniel Shaw & J. 
T. Titus. In 1851 it was sold to Mr. Samuel M. Shaw, 
its }3resent proprietor and editor^ who immediately im- 
proved it in type, size, paper and arrangement. 

The Switch. 

This appeared March 11th, 1809, and met with but 
little sympathy. After it had occasioned a conference 
between Judges Cooper, Phiuney and Metcalf, it was 
suppressed. It represented its editor's name to be 
Anthony Switchem, and its motto was : 

" To seek, to find the kennel'd pack, 
And lacerate the rascal's back, 
Detect their crimes, expose their pranks, 
And put to flight their ragged ranks." 

The Watch Tov/er. 

This paper was established at Cherry Valley in 1813; 
was removed to Cooperstown in 1814; published by 
Israel W. Clark until May, 1817, when Edward B. 
Crandal became its proprietor, and continued it until 
1831. 

The Tocsin. 

It was established at Cooperstown, June, 1829, by 
Dutton & Hews. In 1831 its name was changed to 

The Otsego Republican. 

It was issued: 1st, by Dutton & Hopkins; 2d, by 
Hopkins; 3d, by Hopkins & Clark; 4th, by Andrew 
M. Barber; 5th, by I. K. Williams & Co.; 6th, by A. 
M. Barber. 

The Otsego Democrat. 

This made its first appearance from the editorial 
hand of James I, Hendryx, March 13th, 1847, and 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 107 

was continued by him until October, 1855, when it was 
consolidated with the Otsego Repiihlican^ constituting 
the subsequent paper known as 

The Republican and Democrat. 

This was published by the firm of James I, Heudryx 
& Co., until 1856, from which date it was issued by the 
firm of Hendryx & J. B. Wood, until May, 1858, when 
Mr. Hendryx became the sole proprietor, by whom it is 
still published under the new name of 

The Otsego Republican, 

which name it received June, 1861, and is now a large 
and ably conducted political, literary, family paper. 

The Otsego Examiner. 

This was the last paper started at Cooperstown, ap- 
pearing first in 1855 ; published by Robert Shankland, 
and afterwards by B. W. Burditt, until 1857. 

Of the two newspapers now published here, the 
Freeman's Journal, by S. M. Shaw, and the Otsego 
Repuhllcan, by James I. Hendryx, each villager, and 
even the citizens of the county where they are read, 
may well speak in terms of high commendation. It is 
not without reason that they are said to be the largest 
and best papers in the United States, published in a 
village no larger than Cooperstown. Each, for several 
years, has been printed by its own steam press, and the 
two are looked for weekly by above 20,000 readers. 
Their eight-column pages, when compared with the 
small, four-column pages of the Otsego Herald and the 
Cooperstown Federalist, show plainly that the enter- 
prise and ability of our editors have in nowise fallen 
behind the continued advance of the village in other 
respects. It is hoped the public will never be so un- 
wise as to withdraw their patronage from these sheets, 
so well filled with carefully selected matter. 



108 history of cooperstown. 

The Country Magazine 

Was started here, April, 1852, by Messrs Neville 
Stuart and James I. Hendryx. Contents entirely 
original. But a few numbers of it were issued. 

EDUCATION. 

Cooperstown, though not distinguished as a seat of 
learnino:, has ever manifested a commendable zeal for 
education. 

Joshua Dewey, as we have good reason to believe, 
was the first school teacher in the village. He was the 
son of Daniel Dewey, a farmer of Lebanon, Conn., 
where he was born, April 7, 1767. He entered college 
in his 17th year. In 1791 he located in Otsego county, 
and attended its first court. " He established the first 
school in the village of Cooperstown, and was the first 
teacher of J. Fenimore Cooper, whom [says one] he 
distinctly recollects as a boy learning his A, B, C." 
From this county he was sent to the legislature, repre- 
senting the people in 1787, 1799 and 1800. 

The last we learned of him he was living in the 
seventh ward of Brooklyn, and was about 90 years old. 
In 1856 he was well remembered in this vicinity by the 
Hon. Isaac Williams of Pierstown, and by Mr. Ebene- 
zer Lisk, the latter of whom was also born in Lebanon, 
Conn. 

Oliver Cory, who died but a few years since, was Mr. 
Dewey's successor, and efficiently continued as such for 
many years. 

The Otsego Academy. 

This was organized June 12th, 1795. It was by no 
means an inferior enterprise at that early period. 

James Averell was its first collector, and William 
Cooper was its first treasurer. 

It evidently had some distinction abroad, for in the 
Otseyo Herald of Sept. 1797, is found this notice : 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 109 

" Last evening his Honor the Lieut, Governor, and the 
Rev. Thomas Ellison, arrived here from Albany, in 
order to visit the Otsego Acadertiy in this 2)^oce." Its 
character, too, is easily inferred from the following 
notice, published September 10th, 1806 : 

" The trustees of the Otsego Academy, in the village 
of Cooperstown, are happy in being able to inform the 
public that business will commence in said academy on 
the first Tuesday in November next, under the superin- 
tendence of the Rev. William Niell, who has been for 
several years a tutor in Princeton College, and comes 
highly recommended by the celebrated Dr. Smith, and 
who has been recently appointed principal of this insti- 
tution. 

Besides the Latin and Greek lanc^uas-es, English 
grammar, arithmetic and geography will be taught with 
care and attention. Young gentlemen who may wish 
to prepare themselves for any of the learned professions, 
without being at the expense of a college education, 
may here obtain an acquaintance with the rules of com- 
position, criticism and oratory ; also with the general 
principles of mathematics, natural and moral philoso- 

The price of tuition will fee ^16 a year. Board, 
washing and lodging will not exceed twelve shillings a 
week. 

Those parents who may think proper to send their 
sons to this academy may rest assured that the strictest, 
attention will be paid both to their instruction and 
their morals. 

Signed by order of the board of trustees. 

John Russell, 
R. F. Cooper, Committee." 

Other particulars of it are given in the Chronicles. 

Public Library. — For establishing this an associa- 
tion was organized at the Court House, December 27, 
1796. 

10 



110 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

Female School. — In 1808, Mrs. and Miss An- 
drews of this village, opened a school for teaching 
needle work, reading, writing, accounts, English gram- 
mar, projection of maps and history, with an appropri- 
ate use of the globes, dancing, drawing, vocal and 
instrumental music, French, &c., &c. 

Academy and Boarding School. — This was 
opened by the Rev. Mr. Molther, in 1819. 

A Female Academy, was in operation here in 
1822. 

A High School, spoken of in flattering terms, was 
kept here in 1828, by a Miss Gilberts, in the house now 
known as Edgewater, and the residence of Mr. Gr. P. 

Keese. 

CooPERSTowN Classical and Military Aca- 
demy. — This was conducted by Mr. W. H. Duff, and 
on July 29th, 1839, held its examination in the assem- 
bly room of the Eagle Hotel. The pupils of this 
school received a thorough military education under 
competent instructors, and were at one time reviewed 
by General Sanford, on the grounds of the academy at 
Apple hill. 

The Otsego Academy (a second one of this name), 
was opened in 1841, and some of the pupils still recol- 
lect with pleasure, the kind attentions there shown them 
by the visits of J. Fenimore Cooper, who, on one occa- 
sion, invited them to his house for a social festival. 
This school came to an end several years ago, and the 
building occupied now stands on the lot next west of 
the Baptist Church. 

A Select School for Young Ladies, kept here 
by Miss M. A. Spafard, was long continued and favora- 
bly known. 

A Classical School, was taught here in 1852, by 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. Ill 

Mr. E. L. Bangs, who has since been a teacher in the 
Deaf and Dumb Asylum of New York. 

The Otsego County Education Society. 

This was organized in 1838, and had for its object 
the improvement of the schools of the county. 

Officers. — J. Fenimore Cooper, President ; John 
Drake, Vice President ; Horace Lathrop, Recording 
Secretary ) Eben B. Morehouse, Cor, Secretary. 

Executive Committee. — Walter Holt, Alfred E. 
Campbell, Schuyler Crippen, Levi S. Chatfield, Sumner 

At a meeting of this society, September 5th, 1843, 
an address was delivered by Jerome B. Wood, Esq., 
H. A. Spafard, Secretary. 

Cooperstown Seminary. 

The first meeting for its establishment was held Dee. 
20th, 1853. Several others ensued, at one of which, a 
■committee for devising a plan of raising funds was 
appointed, consisting of Messrs. Elihu Phinney, F. A. 
Lee, a. W. Ernst, Wm. E. Cory and H. C- Fish, 
They proposed to raise the necessary funds for the 
seminary, by issuing shares of $50 each, the holders 
becoming a joint stock company. Early in 1854, $15,- 
000 were pledged by the Methodist society in this 
vicinity, and $20,000 by the citizens of Cooperstown. 
Twenty-one trustees were appointed by the stockholders, 
who elected Elihu Phinney as their president. Rev. J. 
L. "G. McKown was engaged as principal. Mr. L. M. 
Bolles, architect, of this village, began the building in 
June, raised the frame in August, and had it finished 
within a little over four months from its commencement. 
The work on the edifice is indicated by the following 
statement : Its base boards were 3 miles in all ; plaster- 
ing, 2 J acres ; rooms, 160. 

The school opened Nov. 15th, 1854. Its faculty 
consisted of 16 professors and teachers. Board, in- 



112 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

eluding furnished room, washing and fuel, $1.75 a week. 
It was dedicated Nov. 17, 1854 ; addresses by Bishop 
Simpson, F. A. Lee, Esq., and Prof. McKown ; for- 
mally dedicated by Rev. S. H. Batten ; benediction by 
Rev. M. C. Manning. 

By an act of the stockholders it was placed under the 
" general supervision and partial control " of the Meth- 
odist denomination, giving to that body the choice of a 
principal and the majority of trustees. 

During the first year there were 410 students of both 
sexes. In July, 1855, Prof. McKown closed his con- 
nection with- the seminary. Rev. P. D. Hammond was 
his successor as principal, in August of the same year. 
In June, 1856, the building was leased for five years by 
Messrs. Hammond and Pomeroy. In Feb. 1857, Rev. 
C. R. Pomeroy became sole principal. At this time 
the debt on the seminary was about $23,000. It was 
closed in the following spring, and remained so until 
Sept., 1859, when it was purchased by Mr. R. C. Flack, 
assisted by a loan of $5,000 from the citizens of Coop- 
erstown, without interest, as long as he keeps the school 
in operation. It was reopened by Mr. Flack, its present 
enterprising principal, Nov. 11, 1859, and gives promise 
of a growth and maturity which could not be the result 
of its unwieldy proportions at the beginning. Seats of 
learning, like men, must have an infancy to be fostered 
before they can maintain a firm independence. 

Common Schools. 

These have been sadly neglected in Cooperstown. 
For this some of the citizens are greatly in fault, while 
others have striven, but ineffectually, for years, to reme- 
dy the evil. As bad management in the nursery makes 
bad men and women, so miserable school grounds, 
houses and furniture, educate children to pursue a 
course of misery. 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 113 



CHURCHES. 

In Aug., 1795, a call was issued in the Otsego Herald 
for the formation of a Presbyterian cliurch in this vil- 
lage. In July of the same year, a camp meeting of 
four days was held in this vicinity, consisting of all de- 
nominations. Before any church was organized, a Rev 
Mr. Mosely was employed by the Presbyterians for six 
months, and his name will here stand as the first minis- 
ter of their church, though employed before their 
organization. 

On the 6th of Aug., 1807, the Presbyterian house of 
worship was dedicated by the " church and congregation 
of Otsego." On the Tuesday preceding its pews rented 
for eleven months, for nearly $900. The Spiritual 
society was constituted in June, 1800. 

Its Clergy. — 1. Elisha Mosely, 1795. 2. Isaac Lewis, 
from 1800 to 1805. 3. William Neill, from 1806 to 
1809. 4. John Smith, from 1811 to 1834. 5. Alfred 
E. Campbell, from 1834 to 1847. 6. Charles K. Mc 
Harg, from 1848 to 1850. 7. J. A. Priest, from 1851 
to 1855. 8. S. W. Bush, from 1855 until 1862. 

Its membership in 1861, was 130. Its expenditures 
this year for religious purposes, including $3,500 spent 
on the house of worship, in remodeling it to a great ex- 
tent, amount to $4,900. Sabbath school scholars, on an 
average through the year, were 90 in number. 

Protestant Episcopal Church. 

{Christ's Church.) 

This was organized Jan. 1st, 1811. The church edi- 
fice was erected previously, and was duly consecrated by 
Bishop Moore on the 8th of July, 1810. 

Clergy.— 1. Daniel Nash, from 1811 to 1828. 2. 
Frederick T. Tifi"any, from 1828 to 1845. 3. Alfred 
B. Beach, from 1845 to 1848. 4. Stephen H. Batten, 



114 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

from 1848 to 1858. 5. Stephen H. Synnott, from 1858 
to the present. 

Its members in 1861, were 150 in number. Ex- 
penditures the same year, $3,000, including $1,000 for 
the erection of the charity house. This house has 
four sets of apartments, and is intended to accommodate 
four poor families, almost gratuitously. In I860, this 
church built a house, neat and commodious, for their 
sabbath school, on the church premises, at an expense 
of $1,050. Sabbath school scholars in 1861, averaged 
100. 

Universalist Church. 

It was organized x\pril 26th, 1831. 
Clergy. — 1. Job Potter, from April, 1831, to April, 
1836. 2. 0. Whiston, from April, 1836, to Dec, 1846. 

3. J. A. Bartlett, from April, 1847, to Nov., 1849. 

4. D. C. Tomlinson, from Nov., 1849, to June, 1850. 

5. T. J. Carney, from June, 1850, to April, 1851. 

6. J. A. Aspinwall, from April, 1851, to April, 1854. 

7. C. W. Tomlinson, from August, 1854, to the present. 
Expendituj-es of this church in 1861, were $3,696.77, 

including an outlay of $3,071.08, upon the house of 
worship. Scholars in sabbath school, 77. 

Baptist Church. 

Organized January 21st, 1834. 

Clergy. — 1. Lewis Raymond, from 1834 to 1842. 
2. Stephen Hutchins, from 1842 to 1843. 3. John A. 
Nash, 1843. 4. Francis Prescott, from 1843 to 1847. 
5. R. G. Toles, from 1848 to 1849. 6. G. W. Gates, 
from 1849 to 1852. 7. E. S. Davis, from 1852 to 
1853. 8. M. C. Manning, from 1854 to 1856. 9. S. 
T. Livermore, from 1856 to 1862. 

Expenditures of the year 1861, $1,106, including 
$450 for the Chapel, a neat and convenient building, on 
the church lot, for the smaller meetings. Sabbath 
school scholars, 50, on an average during tlie year. 



history of cooperstown. 115 

Methodist Church. 

It was organized October 22d, 1816. 

Clergy. — Messrs. Chase, Benjamin, Paddock, Roper, 
Shank, Ercanbrack, Bixby, Martin, Marvin, Grant, 
Bristol, Row, D. W. Bristol, E. Gr. Andrews, Chas. 
Blakeslee, S. Comfort, M. L. Kern, John Crippen, J. 
L. Wells, a. W. Bridge. 

Its expenditures in 1861 were $1,000. Membership, 
170. Sabbath school scholars, 90. 

Roman Catholic Church. 

Organized September, 1817. 

Clergy. — Messrs. Gilbride, Constantine, Kinney. Fur- 
long, Fitz Patric, Farrall. 
Members, 350. 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

Christ Church Sewing School. 

This was originated by Miss Susan F. Cooper, and 
is one of the voluntary and charitable enterprises for 
which she, its superintendent, has long been distinguish- 
ed in the village. It was organized in the winter of 
1860, and has met with success and general approval, 
welcominir to its advantao-es the children of all classes 
and societies. The following extract from the first re- 
port of it to the church with which it is connected will 
give an outline of its character : 

"It is our object," says Miss Cooper, " to provide a 
school in which the girls of the parish may learn the 
simple, but most important art of using the needle in 
all its necessary useful labors. Sewing has been very 
much neglected in the education of girls of late. It is, 
at present, too often sacrificed to studies of a more pre- 
tending and ambitious character. And yet it is believed 
that such a course must always be injurious ; the comfort 
of many a home, nay, even the character of many a 
girl may be seriously injured by this course. The use 



116 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

of the needle is such a plain and natural duty for wo- 
men that while neglecting it they can scarcely discharge 
faithfully the duties of that station in life to which it 
has pleased God to call them. 

" The number of scholars now (Dec. 18G1) amounts 
to about eighty. The general attendance has varied be- 
tween twenty-five and thirty-five, until the last month 
when we have had within one or two of fifty on each 
Saturday. The general conduct of the children is very 
good.^' 

The Otsego County Medical Society. 

This was organized at the Court House in this village, 
July 1st, 1806, pursuant to an act of the legislature of 
this state passed April 4th in the same year, authori- 
zing physicians duly licensed as such to form societies 
in every county in the state, and constituting them when 
so formed bodies corporate. 

At the first meeting of this society there were pre- 
sent fourteen physicians who constituted themselves 
members, and elected the following 

Officers. — Dr. Joseph White of Cherry Yalley, pre- 
sident ; Dr. Thomas Fuller of this village, vice-pre- 
sident ; Dr. Caleb Richardson of Burlington, secretary j 
Dr. Isaac North, treasurer. 

They also appointed Drs. Thomas Fuller, John Rus- 
sell, James S. Palmer, Ezra S. Day and David Little, 
censors ; and Dr. Gurdon Huntington of Unadilla, dele- 
gate to the State Medical society. 

The regular meetings of the society, two in each year, 
have always been held in this village, and have usually 
been well attended. 

The whole number of names now on the rolls of the 
society is two hundred and three, of whom only about 
sixty are supposed to be now living. Most of the ori- 
ginal founders of the society, as well as its earlier mem- 
bers, are known to have lived to an advanced age, and 
several of them have attained distinguished positions 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 117 

in the profession. Two occupied for many years envia- 
ble positions as professors in a popular medical college 
in this state. One was for many years president of the 
same college, and three of the members of this society, 
at diiFerent periods, have been severally elected presid- 
ent of the State Medical society, a number larger, it is 
believed, than any other county in the state has fur- 
nished, excejDt New York and Albany, during the same 
period. 

The society had at one time a large and valuable 
library, procured mainly from a fund accumulated by 
an annual tax upon all its members for a series of years. 
But unfortunately, in 1848, the society having become 
deeply involved in debt, and unable to raise the requi- 
site funds by taxation, suffered the library to be sold, 
and have not since attempted to collect a new one. 

Members of this society have contributed several valu- 
able papers to the State Medical society, which have been 
published in its annual transactions. Its meetings are 
now well attended and practically useful as well as in- 
teresting, the principal object of these meetings being 
an interchange of views upon the prevalent types of 
disease and the discussion of professional subjects al- 
ways interesting to medical gentlemen, and incidentally 
the cultivation of a social and friendly intercourse be- 
tween the members of a common profession. 

Present officers. — Dr. Horace Lathrop, Jr., president; 
Dr. A. T. Bigelow, vice-president; Dr. J. S. Sprague, 
secretary; Dr. P. E. Johnson, treasurer. 

Drs. Lidell, Metcalf, Bassett, and Seeber, censors. 

Drs. John Drake and J. K. Leanning, delegates to the 
State Medical society. 

Dr. John A. Lidell, delegate to the American Medi- 
cal association, who is now brigade surgeon in the army. 

Drs. Curtis, King, Spafard, Harper, and others who 
practised in Cooperstown years ago, are still affectionately 
remembered by its citizens. 



118 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

Female Cent Society. — On the 31st of Auo:ust, 
1815. this society held its first annual meeting at the 
school house. It was probably similar to recent mite 
societies. 

Otsego County Bible Society. 

This was organized March 7th, 1813, by Jacob Mor- 
ris, John Smith, George Pomeroy, Isaac Cooper, Ralph 
Worthington, Ilinkley Walker, John Luce, John H. 
Prentiss, Seth Cook, James Averell, Jr., John F. Ernst, 
and Henry Jones, in the school house of the village of 
Cooperstown. It was legally incorporated on the 10th 
of the same month. 

First oj^cers. — Rev. Daniel Nash, president ; Rev. 
Andrew Oliver, 1st vice-president ; Rev. Eli F. Cooley, 
2d vice-president ; Rev. John Smith, corresponding 
secretary ; Rev. Henry Jones, recording secretary ^ 
George Pomeroy, treasurer. 

Managers. — Jacob Morris, Rev. W. Colton, William 
Campbell, Calvin Hurlburt, Thomas Fuller, Elisha 
Foote, Isaac Cooper, Rev. Mr. Bostwick, Abraham Lip- 
pett. 

This society appointed Rev. Andrew Oliver of Spring- 
field, Rev. Eli F. Cooley of Cherry Valley, and Mr. James 
Feuimore Cooper of this village as delegates to cooperate 
with others in the formation of the American Bible so- 
ciety in 1816. By this fact it is seen that the former 
is the older society. In June, 1816, it became auxili- 
ary to the American Bible society, and still continues 
such. 

Masonic Lodge. 

At the time it was constituted, in this village, August 
14th, 1795, about 500 people were present. A sermon 
was preached by the Rev. John Camp, and the conclud- 
ing prayer was off"ered by the Rev. Eliphalet Nott. 
These services were followed by a ball in the evening. 

A masonic festival was held in Cooperstown, Dec* 
27th, 1796. It was the festival of St. John. 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 119 

Washington Lives I 

This announcement, made here sixty-three years ago, 
produced a general jubilee, although it called together 
at no one place a large assemblage. The report of his 
death was published in this village on the 17th of Jan. 
1799, and caused deep sorrow. But the next week's 
paper had a poem with the above heading, a few lines 
of which are here quoted : 

" Hail I Columbia's guardian powers, 
Still a Washington is ours, 
France may otter now in vain, 
Silvered lore or galling chain ; 
He can silence the vile horde 
With his wisdom and his sword. 
He's the glory of the age, 
Statesman, hero. Christian, sage ; 
Nor is Washington alone — 
Adams, too, is all our own ; 
Adams guides the civic car, 
Washington the wheels of war." 

Col. Richard Carey. 

Col. Richard Carey, one of the aids-de-camp of Gen. 
Washington, died in this village, Dec. 13, 1806. He 
was an upright, well bred and agreeable gentleman, 
possessed of wit and genius, and good humor. 

Visit of Gov. Lewis. 

On the 17th Sept. 180G, Gov. Lewis attended by Ad- 
jutant-General Van Rensselaer, visited Cooperstown, and 
reviewed Gen. Bates's brigade, consisting of six com- 
plete regiments, three troops of cavalry, and a company 
of artillery with two elegant brass field pieces, the whole 
of the officers and privates in the artillery and light in- 
fantry, in complete uniform and equipment. 

The governor and adjutant-general were escorted into 
the village from Cherry Valley by Capt. A"an Derveer's 
troop of cavalry. 



120 history of cooperstown. 

Tenth of June, 1809. 

This was a high day in Cooperstown. The occasion 
of it was the prospect of the reopening of commercial 
intercourse with England. At that time the Otsego 
Herald and the Impartial Observer were published in 
this Tillage. Each reported the proceedings of its own 
party festivities, both parties rejoicing over the propi- 
tious event. 

The following is a brief account of the proceedings of 
a part who were then assembled here : 

At 10 o'clock A. M. Capt. Metcalf paraded the town 
with his company of artillery, with two fine brass field 
pieces, a choir of martial music, the company being in 
full and beautiful uniform. Col. Fitch, president; 
llufus Steer and John Russell vice-presidents. They 
met in the new Court House at 11 o'clock : 1st, Prayer, 
by Rev. Mr. Martin ; 2d, Prayer by the Rev. Mr. Bol- 
ton; Oration by Jabez D. Hammond. At the close of 
these exercises the people retired for refreshment to 
The Buicer. This was 126 feet long, decked with flow- 
ers, and furnished with a luxuriant table. In the even- 
ing the Court House was illuminated, and about twenty 
sky rockets purchased in Albany by Judge Metcalf, and 
" the first ever witnessed in this village, regaled the 
spectators by an ascent high in the air." 

At the same time another assembly were celebrating 
the day under the name of the Federal Festival. They 
met at Maj. Griffin's hotel. Dr. William Campbell and 
Robert Campbell, Esq., were presidents ; Messrs. E. 
Ripley and Isaac Cooper were vice-presidents. 

They were fiivored by a band led by Mr. Kilburn, 
and their toasts were accompanied with artillery. Many 
heroes of 1776 were present. 

The Elephant. 

The first foreign animal exhibition in Cooperstown, 
of which we find any account, was an elephant in 1813. 
Its arrival here was preceded by the following notice : 



HISTORY or COOPERSTOWN. 121 

" Perhaps the present generation may never have an 
opportunity of seeing an elephant again, as this is the 
only one in the United States, and this is, perhaps, the 
last visit to this place." 

License. 

In 1813 John F. Ernst of this village received license 
to sell by retail, merchandise other than wines and 
spirits, by paying, as was the custom, ten dollars for his 
license, which was countersigned by Jedediah Peck. 

Peace Celebration. 

On the 1st of March, 1815, after the termination of 
the war with England, usually designated as the war of 
1812, Cooperstown shared in the general rejoicing of 
our country over the declaration of peace with the mother 
country. On the day mentioned, in spite of snow and 
cold weather, the streets of the village were paraded by 
the military, guns were fired, and speeches delivered. 

President Van Buren's Visit. 

In September, 1839, President Yan Buren visited 
Cooperstown. He was conveyed from Fort Plain in an 
open barouche, accompanied by Judge Nelson and 
Messrs. Foote and Prentiss, being escorted into the vil- 
lage by about three hundred horsemen and a long train 
of carriages. He was received at the Eagle Hotel by 
a very appropriate address from Hon. E. B. More- 
house. His reply was characteristic of himself, and in- 
dicated the support which he desired in the approaching- 
presidential election. Having remained over Saturday 
and Sunday, on Monday he left the village, accompanied 
to Cherry Valley by Judge Nelson, Messrs. Morehouse. 
Prentiss, Crippen, Doubleday and Kinne. 

Canal Celebration, Oct. 26, 1825. 

[From the Freeman's Journal.] 

"The completion of the Erie canal has given rise ta 
joyous celebration in almost every village in the state. 

11 



122 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

On no occasion have we ever witnessed in this place 
such a dispkiy of unity of feeling and unfeigned hilarity, 
as was exhibited among our citizens on Wednesday 
last. That day having been assigned by the canal 
commissioners for letting the waters of lake Erie into 
the canal at Black Rock, and the artillery corps 
throuahout the state havino; been ordered to assemble 
at their usual places of rendezvous and to lire a na- 
tional salute on the auspicious event, our citizens, to- 
gether with others in the vicinity, agreeably to an 
arrangement made on Monday previous, assembled at 
Major Griffin's tavern at 11 in the forenoon, and formed 
a procession in the following order : Col. Gr. S. Crafts, 
1st marshal, on horseback ; Maj. Benjamin's corps of 
artillery; band of music; Capt. Comstock's company 
of light infantry ; a volunteer corps of sappers, miners 
and excavators, under Capt. Wilson ; citizens and 
strangers ; committee of arrangements and chaj)lain ; 
Col. liogers, 2d marshal, on horseback. 

" In this order the procession moved through the 
principal streets of the village to the arsenal, near the 
mouth of the lake, when a national salute was fired by 
the artillery and answered by a detachment stationed 
upon the summit of Mount Vision, with a brass nine- 
pounder, whose roar must have been heard at a great 
distance. This arrangement had a fine eflect. The 
detachment were perfectly visible in all their move- 
ments, from the plain below, and had every appearance 
of a besieging party. 

" After the salute and a feu de jole from the light 
infentry, six cheers from the multitude made the welkin 
ring. The procession then moved forward to the Epis- 
copal church, upon entering which, in reversed order, 
they were greeted with ' Hail Columbia, happy land,' 
on the new and excellent organ just erected by Mr. 
Redstone of New York, accompanied by a choir of 
singers. An appropriate prayer was then made by the 
Rev. Mr. Potter, and was succeeded by a pertinent 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 123 

extempore address from Samuel Starkweather, Esq., 
followed by ' Strike the loud cymbals,' on the organ. 
A benediction was then pronounced, and the procession 
was again formed and marched to Major Griffin's, w^here 
a large number feasted upon good things. After the 
removal of the cloth, 28 toasts were drunk, under the 
discharge of cannon, most of them being succeeded by 
hearty cheering and animating airs from the band. 

'• It was now announced by Capt. \yilson, that his 
corps of sappers, miners and excavators would form for 
the purpose of proceeding to the outlet of the lake.* 

'' Thus closed a celebration which gave pleasure to 
all who participated in it. It was an impulse of feel- 
ing hig'Jily creditable to the patriotism of our fellow- 
citizens, and will serve to convince our sister counties 
that the men of Otsego, although not residing upon the 
line of the canal, duly appreciate the importance of the 
work as connected with the great interests of the state 
and nation." 

Navigation of the Susquehanna. 

From the first discovery of Otsego lake and its outlet 
by Cadwallader Colden, in 1737, the navigation of the 
Susquehanna from its source became a subject of specu- 
lation, and continued to be agitated more or less for 
many years afterwards. 

In 1825, it was proposed by the people of Otsego 
county to navigate the river as far down as the coal 
mines at Belmont in Pennsylvania, and also to con- 
struct a railway or some other means of communication 
direct, and immediately between Cooperstown and the 
Erie Canal. In order to carry these projects into effect, 
at a large meeting held at Cooperstown, Oct. 14, 1825, 
of which Hon. John C. Morris was chairman, and Gren. 
George Morell was secretary, a committee of twenty- 
five influential citizens of the county was appointed 

*The account of their proceedings, as recently given by Capt. Wilson him- 
self, may be found in a note in the Chronicles where mention is made of Clin- 
ton's dam. 



124 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

with power to carry out the object of the meeting. A 
deep interest was awakened in this project, one that 
was felt all along the river as fiir down as into Wayne 
and Susquehanna counties in Pennsylvania. 

In 1826, Robert Campbell, William H. Averell and 
Joseph B. Walter, Esquires, were appointed a commit- 
tee to raise funds to survey the route from Fort Plain to 
Binghaniton. During the month of August of the same 
year, Col. De Witt Clinton, Jr., as principal surveyor, 
with Dr. William Campbell and William Morell, sur- 
veyed the route as far down as Milford, and found the 
descent in nine miles not to exceed thirty feet. It was 
afterwards ascertained that the fall between Coopers- 
town and Unadilla was about one hundred and fifty 
feet. The fall in a distance of one hundred and ten 
miles down the river was about 350 feet. The ascent 
from the head of the lake to the summit, north, was 
166 feet, and the descent from that point to the Erie 
canal was 1053 feet. 

In January, 1827, a petition was presented to the 
legislature for the construction of the Susquehanna 
canal. In April, 1829, the legislature directed the 
canal commissioners to examine the route from Fort 
Plain to the Chimney narrows in Steuben county. On 
the loth of July, 1830, a public meeting to further the 
enterprise was held in Cooperstown, at which Hon. 
(now Maj. Gen.) John A. Dix and others were ap- 
pointed to confer with the canal commissioners. A 
new survey of the Susquehanna was commenced by Mr. 
Sargeant in August, 1830. 

In this survey it was found that within the distance 
of 163 miles, 144 miles of the river were navigable, 
leaving 19 miles of canal to be constructed. The de- 
scent of this distance was 443 feet. Number of lift 
locks required, 75 ; number of dams, 65. The descent 
from Cooperstown to Binghaniton was 353 feet. The 
cost of this survey was $2,123. 

Since the above facts came to light, the project of 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 125 

navigating the Susquehanna, from its head waters, 
seems to have been entirely abandoned, although it 
was suggested by Surveyor-General Golden in 1737, 
and by Washington in 1783, and was cherished from 
first to last during a period of about ninety years. 

OTSEdO LAKE. 

This is the chief natural attraction of Cooperstown. 
Some one, I think, has said it is a jewel in an emerald 
setting, surrounded as it is with hills adorned with 
evergreens. From time immemorial, it was a resort 
of the Red man for pleasure and for profit. Its 
Indian name indicates the friendly greetings upon its 
shores and the sports of the bark canoe gliding over its 
waters. 

Its Fish. — When Cooperstown was first settled the 
fish afi"orded the inhabitants were of great value. Shad 
then came up to the lake in the spring and returned to 
the ocean in the fall. Salt water herring also came up 
in such abundance that they could be caught in great 
numbers in a basket. It is said by good authority, that 
in the west branch of the Sus:,uehanna, the outlet of 
Schuyler's lake, they preserved the early settlers in the 
vicinity of Fly creek from starvation. And the testi- 
mony of the rocks of Mount Vision and of Hannah's 
hill furnishes ground for the belief that the time may 
have been when this thoroughfare of the shad and the 
herring — the Susquehanna — was the pathway of the 
leviathan who, in his gambols, may have made the 
deep boil like a caldron, directly over the place where 
Cooperstown is now located. For in the rocks of those 
high hills, on their very brows, are fossils, as frontlets, 
declaring to all that once the entire region of Otsego 
lake was the bed of the ocean. 

So much has been said of the water and fish of the 
lake that those acquainted with its peculiarities will 
read the following editorial of the Otsego Herald with 
interest : 



126 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

" Lalce Otsego and its Products, — Lord Littleton, in 
his Tour through Wales, speaks of ' tlie town of Bala 
with its beautiful lake. It is about three miles in 
length and one in breadth ; the water of it is clear and 
of a bright silver color. The lake produces very fine 
trout, and a fish called whiting, peculiar to itself and 
of a very delicate taste. ^ 

"Could Lord Littleton (excepting as to dimensions), 
have described lake Otsego as to the beautiful appear- 
ance and quality of its water, and its finny productions, 
in more accurate terms ? Are not our large and deli- 
ciously flavored trout the finest fish in the world ? And 
can our rich and delicate whiting (improperly called 
bass), be exceeded by any fish in the scaly calendar ? 
As these fish are peculiar to lake Otsego, is it not rea- 
sonable to suppose that they are the same speciqs men- 
tioned by Lord Littleton ? The similarity of the water 
strengthens the opinion, and every body knows that 
Wales is a hilly country, like the vicinity of our lake. 
Our trout (vulgarly called lake fish) are of different 
sizes, weighing from one to rising of twenty pounds. 
One was caught on Saturday last with a hook, which 
weighed twenty-two pounds. 

" Our whiting are of all sizes, from that of a very small 
herring to that of a shad, none as yet having exceeded 
six pounds. They are of a bright, silver color, very 
plump, with a small head, and very few entrails. 
These are the most numerous of any fish in the lake. 
They never bite at a bait, and are taken only by a net 
or spear. 

"There are besides, in Lake Otsego, a large, ugly- 
looking fish called dogfish, considerably resembling a 
catfish. Large pike and pickerel, herring, perch, chub, 
roach or sunfish, mullet, catfish, with the common fry 
of pond fish ; also large and very fine eels, with a plenty 
of clams and other shell fish, which are sometimes 
eaten, but are of little use." — Otsego Herald, 1801, 
No. 322. 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 127 

In May, 1852, Capt. Boden (spoken of in the Chroni- 
cles as the commodore) caught a dog fish in the 
lake, which weighed ten pounds, and was sent to the 
Smithsonian Institute as a curiosity. 

In September, 1855, Augustus Short (now, it is be- 
lieved, the oldest Otsego fisherman, and one of the 
most successful), caught a trout that weighed twelve 
pounds. In May, 1856, he caught another that weighed 
fourteen pounds. In 1861, Capt. P. P. Cooper caught 
one in a gill net that weighed seventeen pounds. 

The fishery of the lake has been greatly improved 
through the skill and enterprise of Capt, P. P. Cooper, 
who came to Cooperstown about twelve years ago, and 
to whom the villagers are greatly indebted for the 
pleasure which he has afforded them and strangers, by 
means of his fleet and tackle. The following sketch 
of his life shows that he was a man of just the experi- 
ence that Cooperstown needed, for what would the 
people do for pleasure parties, were it not for his neat 
little vessels ? 

Capt. P. P. Cooper was born at Croyden, N. H., 
in 1815. His first voyage at sea was made from Boston 
to the straits of Belle Isle, as cook on board of a 
schooner, in quest of whale and codfish. He assisted 
in drawing the seine around 10,000 good sized fish at 
one haul. This voyage continued six months. 

In 1838, he left New Bedford on the whaleship 
Virginia, which made a voyage around Cape Horn, and 
cruised along the coasts of Chili, Peru and New Zealand, 
taking 52 whales, and any number of black fish, ob- 
taining 2700 barrels of oil, 500 of it sperm. Says the 
captain : "At one time we were amongst a school of 
sperm whales, when the steersman of the boat we were 
in was in the act of striking a whale, as another one of 
the school (for they were lying all around us thickly), 
came up under the bow of the boat and knocked him 
overboard, he fell upon the head of the whale, who 
rolled up on one side with his huge mouth open. The 



128 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

steersman slid head foremost tlirougli the whale's mouth, 
and came out on the other side, though not until his 
flesh had been considerably torn by the monster's 
teeth. He was rescued finally." This voyage contin- 
ued 22 months. 

In 1840, he started from New Orleans on a merchant- 
man for Bremen, taking a cargo of cotton and tobacco. 
On her return she brought 138 passengers for Bal- 
timore. One death occurred on the voyage. At the 
funeral the crew and passengers, cleanly attired for the 
occasion, assembled on deck; the main-j^ard thrown 
back ; the corpse sewed up in a blanket with a bag of 
sand fastened to its feet, both laid on a plank, one end 
of which rested upon the railing, the other upon a 
barrel ; the Episcopal service read ) the end of the 
plank on the barrel raised up by four men ; the corpse 
slid off into the deep; a scream from those on deck, 
and all was over. This voyage continued six months. 

In 1811, he started from Oswego on a top-sail 
schooner, sailed upon lakes Ontario, Erie, Huron and 
Michigan during eight seasons ; four seasons as hand 
before the mast, one season as mate, and three seasons 
as master. 

In 1850, he came to Cooperstown to sell a pleasure 
sail boat ; could not sell it ; went to work with it ; had 
patronage enough to make the business profitable, as 
there were no boats then suitable for parties of ladies 
and gentlemen. He soon resolved to create a fleet for 
pleasure seekers, and in 1851 put six new, neat boats 
afloat. His patronage increased, and he enlarged his 
fleet until it now consists of 20 row boats, neatly fur- 
nished with oars, mats, cushions, &c., and five sailboats 
which cost $1800. 

Soon after his arrival in Cooperstown, he introduced 
a new mode of catching the bass, as previously they 
were caught only during a few weeks in the year. He 
used the gill net, and in this way he caught them 
throughout the summer. 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 129 

From the year 1855 to 1862 he caught 9825 bass, 
and sold them for $2,390.73. In the spring of 1851 
there were taken from the lake by four seines 25,000 
bass. 

The above statements are from Capt. Cooper, which 
is a sufficient guaranty for their truthfulness among 
his acquaintances. 

The gill net introduced by Capt. Cooper, is made of 
the best kind of linen thread, with meshes from two 
to two and a half inches square. The net is about 
three feet wide, having leads attached to one edge, and 
corks to the other. The lead-ed edge is carried to the 
bottom of the water, while the other is buoyed up, 
making a complete fence across the lake at its bottom, 
even where it is hundreds of feet deep. The fish swim 
against this fence, which at once yields to their force, 
but as it yields, it forms a sack around them, whose 
meslies gather about their fins and tail, and make it 
impossible to back out, or to escape in any way. The 
more numerous their efforts, the more perfectly they 
are entangled, like a fly in a spider's web. 

Lake Parties. 

The £rst lake party, a source of amusement which 
has became so popular on the waters of Otsego, took 
place in the month of August, 1799. It was given by 
Judge Cooper, for the entertainment of a number of 
friends from Philadelphia. The party, numbering 
about twenty-five, embarked in Indian canoes and flat 
bottomed skifi"s, the place of rendezvous being the Two 
Mile point, on the eastern shore of the lake. Mrs. 
Metcalf and Mi's. Pomeroy, then young misses in their 
teens, and John Russell, were of the company. 

While upon the point, Shipman, the hunter (from 
whom the character of Leather Stocking was drawn), 
was in the forest with his hounds, when a frightened fawn, 
startled from his home by the approach of the dogs, dart- 
ed from the leafy thicket and plunged into the lake. In- 



130 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWX. 

stantly the whole party were in motion, and every skiff 
was in requisition to rescue the little animal now swim- 
ming for its life. The boat in which were Mrs Metcalf 
and Mrs. Pomeroy (the latter of whom, now living, 
well remembers the exciting incident), succeeded in 
takino- it and in brin^in^- it to land. It was afterwards 

o CO 

conveyed to the village, and became a pet in the family 
where it remained until one day, alarmed by the ap- 
proach of strange dogs, it once more sought refuge in 
the forest. For a beautiful description of this scene, 
and the untimely fate of the fawn, the reader is re- 
ferred to the account in Miss Cooper's Rural Hours. 

It was the intention of the survivors of this lake 
party to have celebrated its sixtieth anniversary in 
August, 1859, upon the same point, but when that day 
arrived, 3Irs. Pomeroy was the sole remaining one of 
that festive scene to relate the incidents of the first 
pic nic of white persons on Otsego lake. 

During the summer of 1861, there were about fifty 
parties on the lake, at an average of over thirty persons 
in a party. Their popularity since Capt. Cooper pre- 
pared for the public his fleet of beautiful pleasure boats, 
may be inferred from the following extract from the 
Freemrnis Journal of August, 1851, in speaking of a 
party at Three Mile point : 

"Pic Nic at the Point. 

A large number of visitors are in town, and nothing- 
less than a Lake Party answers the requirements of 
hospitality. One of the most pleasant and numerously 
attended of these came off on Wednesday. Besides a 
goodly number of citizens, there were representatives 
from various parts of the Union, from Boston to St. 
Paul's, the former sending one of her fairest daughters, 
and the latter one of her most talented sons. Amono- 
the prominent gentlemen present were Gov. Marcy of 
Albany, Judge Samuel Prentiss of Vermont, Judge 
Nelson, and Mr. Blatchfoi*d of Auburn." 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 131 

Many sabbath school parties go up the lake in sum- 
mer, not only from Cooperstown, but from the neigh- 
boring villages. While at the point some are sitting 
in the shade of the few fine old trees and of the under- 
growth there, while others are rowing, and others 
rambling through the grove, and others sailing, and 
others fishing, and others preparing refreshments, to 
which all are called in due time and assembled around 
those rural tables that have been washed by the show- 
ers, and dried by the sunshine of many seasons, where 
multitudes have feasted upon luxuries to which cheer- 
ful exercise, pure air and the finest scenery have given 
an unwonted relish. 

Three Mile Point. 

This is a little point of land, less than an acre, jutting 
out from the west shore of Otsego lake, in the shape 
of a flat-iron. It is covered with large forest trees and 
with undergrowth, among which are winding paths, 
springs, a brook, a house with doors ever open for all 
in case of a shower, and where the sabbath school 
children are assembled for religious services. The 
north side of it is grassy, and upon its gravelly shore 
the boats are moored. In 1837, and in 1820, it was 
known to some extent, as Myrtle grove. It takes 
its present name from its distance of three miles from 
the village. 

It was originally the property of Judge Cooper, and 
was willed by him to his lineal descendants in common 
until 1850, after which it was to be the sole property 
of his youngest descendant bearing the name of 
William Cooper. Yet it has been used by the vil- 
lagers for many years as a rural resort, as freely as 
though each were its lawful possessor. Thankfulness, 
at least, for its privileges will not be withheld from its 
proprietor by any of the generous citizens of Coopers- 
town. 



lg:2 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

The Echo. 

There is a point on the hike directly in front of 
Natty Bumpo's cave where the finest echo is obtained 
from the steep and rocky shore. Three are sometimes 
heard in regular succession, the first from the cave, the 
second from Mount Vision, and the third from Hannah's 

hill. 

Those who visit that point in the still summer even- 
ing, generally call out : "Natty Bumpo I Who's there ?'' 
and to the surprise of strangers, these and other calls 
are repeated up the mountain almost as distinctly as 
in the boat of the visiting party. 

Tricks, however, have been played upon strangers in 
search of the echo. At one time a young man of some 
wit saw a boat coasting along the foot of Mount Vision, 
and suspecting its crew were not very familiar with 
the grounds, placed himself in position to answer for 
the echo. Soon one called out from the boat, " Natty 
Bumpo !" — " Bumpo,'' was the reply from the thicket. 
" There," said one, " we have found the echo." Other 
calls were given and answered until a laugh was heard 
on the hill-side, and the rogue was suspected, when one 
called out from the boat "You're a liar !" to which the 
response, "You liar !'' was given, leaving the strangers 
in doubt whether the echo was a hoax or a reality. 

The Ice. 

In winter the ice becomes about sixteen inches thick, 
clear as crystal, and is gathered in large quantities by 
the villagers for the following summer. The outlet 
never freezes over at the head, while the ice a short 
distance above is thick and solid for several months. 
This is a phenomenon worthy of examination, as the 
banks there are not high, nor is the current rapid. A 
large fissure in the ice, too, that is found nearly every 
winter, has caused considerable speculation. It is seen 
about five miles above the foot of the lake, and extends 
across from shore to shoreu A few years ago it was so 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 133 

wide that a team could not cross it, and a span of 
horses was driven into it accidentally. The lake is 
narrow where this opening takes place, and the fissure 
is supposed to be created by the expansion of ice from 
the north and from the south, causing the ice to rise 
several feet in the shape of a house roof just previous 
to the opening of the fissure, after which fragments of 
ice each side are piled up like the earth of an entrench- 
ment. 

Skating on the lake is becoming a popular amuse- 
ment with both sexes. Although the ice, most of the 
time, is covered with snow, yet there are times when it 
is like a mirror, and the writer well recollects a charm- 
ing view of the lake when Hannah's hill. Mount 
Vision and Clark's hill were reflected most perfectly. 
Nor will he soon forget the pleasure enjoyed in the 
early part of the winter of 18G1, as he went upon the 
lake to see the multitude of skaters glide to and fro so 
easily and so swiftly, where about twenty-five were 
playing the Thorny Way, a game which may be de- 
scribed briefly thus : 

Two goals are fixed on the ice about thirty ix)ds 
apart; mid-way between these is stationed one skater; 
at one of the goals are stationed all of the other skaters ; 
they rush past the center for the other goal, and the 
one at the centre springs among the flying flock, touch- 
ing this and that one, if he can, and thus takes them 
to his stand, and they join him in touching with the 
hand the rest as they return to the former goal again. 
Thus the game goes on until all have been brought to 
the centre, or until those there acknowledge their ina- 
bility to catch the last two or three who dart from goal 
to goal and dodge with such expertness, that they elude 
a dozen pursuers. 

While looking upon this sport, the writer and his 
friend Mr. S , the most graceful skater in Coopers- 
town, moving with no apparent efibrt, like a spirit, ad- 
mired the clearness of the ice, then about six inches 

12 



134 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

thick, and of the water beneath, about eight feet deep, 
where we were, through which we looked upon the 
bottom covered with pebbles and larger stones. This 
transparency awakened in our minds pleasing thoughts 
and hopes concerning the sea of glass spoken of in 
the Apocalypse. 

The exercise of skating prudently conducted may 
be made a source of great pleasure and benefit to the 
citizens of Cooperstown by their taking a little pains 
in clearing away the snow to keep the ice in good con- 
dition. Let the youth break out from the heated air 
of the fire-sides during the long Otsego winters, let 
them breathe the bracing out-door air, as they go upon 
the lake singing merrily — 

" Away, away, o'er the sheeted ice, 

Away, away we go ; 
On our steel-bound feet we move as fleet 

As the deer o'er Lapland snow. 

What though the sharp north winds are out ? 

The skater heeds them not ; 
'Midst the laugh and shout of the joyous rout 

Grey winter is forgot." 



Horse Boat. 

In the summer of 1831, a boat propelled by horse- 
power was running on the lake, carrying parties to 
different points, furnishing meals, and music for dancing 
on deck. Its reputation became bad, and the more 
respectable citizens withdrew their patronage. 

In 1858, a small steamer was on the lake, large 
enough to carry half a dozen, but too small for conve- 
nience and pleasure. 

We find the accounts of ten deatJis in the lake by 
drowning since the settlement of Cooperstown. On 
Sunday, Aug. 26th, 1829, three men in a leaky boat, 
on the lake for pleasure, were drowned. 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 135 

MURDERS AND EXECUTION. 
Stephen Arnold, 

Who was tried and convicted in tliis village, in June, 
1805, for the murder of Betsey Van Amburgh, a child 
six years old, was the subject of the following perform- 
ance, the justice or cruelty of which is left to others 
to infer for themselves. It occurred on the 19th of 
July, 1805, and was thus described in the Otsego 
Herald : 

" llie Execution. — On Friday last, which was the 
day appointed for the execution of the unhappy Arnold, 
at about 7 o'clock in the morning, the principal street 
in Cooperstown, called Second street, which is 90 feet 
wide, and about 60 rods in length, was nearly filled 
with people who had traveled from so great a distance 
that not one to twenty were known to any of the vil- 
lagers. The concourse increased until nearly one P. 
M., when by the best calculation, they amounted to 
about eight thousand. About 12 o'clock the prisoner 
was taken from the jail (then standing on the south- 
east corner of Second and West streets) and placed in a 
wagon, and a procession previously arranged by the 
sherifi", consisting of the reverend clergy and other gen- 
tlemen, preceded by the sheriff'on horseback, moved with 
funeral music after the prisoner, guarded by Lt. Com'dt. 
Tanner's company of light infantry, and Lt. Comd't. 
Mason's comj^any of artillery, to the place of execution, 
where being arrived, the Rev. Mr. Williams of Wor- 
cester, opened the preparatory scene with an appropri- 
ate prayer. The Rev. Isaac Lewis of Cooperstown, 
delivered a pathetic, concise and excellently adapted 
discourse from Luke chap, xxiii, 42d and 43d verses. 

Elder Alining of , closed the religious exercises by 

a solemn appeal to the throne of grace for mercy and 
forgiveness, as well for the prisoner as the vast au- 
ditory. The unhappy prisoner appeared deeply affected 



136 HISTORY or COOPERSTOWN. 

and resigned. His penitence was obvious and manifest, 
and drew forth the tears of sympathy from the sur- 
rounding spectators. 

When the exercises were over the prisoner seated 
himself on the coffin for a short space, when he was in- 
formed that if he wished to offer anything to the peo- 
ple he could now have an opportunity. He arose and 
addressed a few words to the surrounding multitude, 
earnestly urging them to improve by his fatal example 
to place a strict guard upon their passions, the fatal in- 
dulgence of which had brought him to the shameful 
condition in which they beheld him, notwithstanding 
he never intended to commit murder, and closed with 
the following sentence : " If appears to me that if you 
will not take learning at this ajfecting scene, you would 
Qiot he warned though one should arise from the dead.'^ 

The sheriff had adjusted the fatal cord, except fasten- 
ing it to the beam of the gallows. The prisoner remained 
apparently absorbed in silent meditation which was en- 
tirely abstracted from terrestrial subjects; the thou- 
sands of spectators were waiting in silent and gloomy 
suspense for the fatal catastrophe, when the sheriff, af- 
ter a few concise and pertinent remarks to the prisoner, 
produced a letter from his excellency Grov. Lewis, con- 
taininii; directions for A RESPITE of the execution until 
further orders. The prisoner swooned — the counte- 
nances of the vast concourse assumed a different ex- 
pression, and the whole scene seemed changed. The 
prisoner was reconducted to the prison in the same man- 
ner in which he was taken from thence. The spec- 
tators withdrew by thousands. No material accident 
occurred — no tumultuous conduct was witnessed, and 
before sunset the village assumed its accustomed tran- 
quility. The proceedings of the day were opened, pro- 
gressed, and closed in a manner which reflected honor 
on the judiciary, the executive, the clergy, the military 
and the citizens of the county. 

About 9 o'clock in the morning Mr. Jacob Ford, who 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 137 

had been sent as an express with the Burlington peti- 
tion for a respite, arrived with a letter from his excel- 
lency Gov. Lewis, directed to Solomon Martin, Esq., 
sheriff of the county of Otsego, the purport of which 
was that the sheriff was directed to suspend the execu- 
tion until further orders, and that a reprieve should be 
forwarded soon, in due form. 

Mr. Ford had departed from Cooperstown at about 
11 o'clock on the preceding Saturday, and arrived at 
Albany on Sunday evening, where he was informed 
that the governor was at his country seat at or near 
Staatsburgh, nearly 70 miles below Albany. Embar- 
rassed by this information he applied immediately 
to his honor chief justice Kent and acquainted him 
with the occasion of his journey, and handed him the 
petitions. His honor immediately wrote to his excel- 
lency, and advised Mr. Ford to proceed without delay, 
observing that although he might be disappointed, his 
exertions would be pleasing to the friends of the un- 
happy man. 

Early on Monday morning Mr. Ford started for the 
governor's country seat, where he was again disappointed, 
being informed that he was on his way to Albany. He 
then returned, and on Wednesday had the good fortune 
to find his excellency at the seat of the Hon. Robert 
R. Livingston, Esq., at Clermont, Columbia county. 

His excellency was prevented from issuing a formal 
reprieve, by his absence from the seat of government, 
but wrote as before mentioned. The sheriff with 
the advice of a few others, conceived it improper to 
divulge the respite, until the crisis in which it was 
communicated to Arnold; and even the reverend clergy 
remained uninformed thereof until it was produced on 
the stage.'' 

Cruel mockery ! By what right could sheriff Martin 
carry in his pocket the governor's respite, received in 
the morning^ and go through with all the forms of the 



138 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

criminars execution, except the taking from him of his 
last breath ? 

" When Arnold was reconducted to prison, and be- 
fore he left the wagon, he requested that the sheriff 
might command silence. He warned the multitude to 
govern their passions, declaring that anger had brought 
him to the shameful condition in which they saw him. 
He expressed the warmest gratitude to all who had 
petitioned for his reprieve, to the governor of the state, 
and above all to the Governor of the universe, for his 
infinite mercy in Jesus Christ/' 

As an index to the customs and feelings of former 
times the following somewhat romantic description is 
here aiven as a continuation of the foresroino; account: 

"Unconnected with the solemn occasion, the appear- 
ance of such an extraordinary collection of the sexes, 
was beautiful in the extreme. The o-round at a small 
distance from the place of execution, which was a small 
flat, on the banks of the Susquehanna, arose towards 
the east in such a manner as to afford every beholder 
an uninterrupted view of the interesting spectacle. It 
seemed, when viewed from the high western banks 
of the river, a vast natural amphitheatre, filled with 
all classes and gradations of citizens, from the opulent 
landlord to the humble laborer. The display of about 
600 umbrellas, of various colors : the undulating ap- 
pearance of silks and muslins of different hues ; the 
vibrations of thousands of fans, in playful fancy ; the 
elevated back ground of the landscape interspersed with 
carriages of various construction, and filled with peo- 
ple; the roofs of the buildings, which commanded a view, 
covered with spectators; the windows crowded with 
faces ; every surrounding point of view occupied, and 
the gleam of swords, bayonets, &c., in the centre afford- 
ed, whenever the mind was detached from the occasion, 
real satisfaction to the contemplative mind ; but on re- 
versing the picture, and reflecting that all those bloom- 
ing nymphs, jolly swains, delicate ladies, and spruce 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 139 

gentlemen, fond mothers, and affectionate sisters, prat- 
tling children and hoary sages, servile slaves and im- 
perious masters, would be, in all probability, incorpo- 
rated with their native dust in 100 years, it strongly 
enforced the truth and pertinence of a maxim of one 
of the ancient sages, that j^r/r/e tvas not made for man. 
A recurrence to the occasion increased our humility." 

Arnold's gallows was erected on the flat a little below 
the brick house near the east end of the river bridge, 
the house now owned by Mr. Charles W. Smith. 

During nearly twelve months he had remained in a 
dark dungeon, having seen the sun meanwhile on only 
two occasions, the first as he was brought from the jail in 
Pittsburgh to the one in Cooperstown, and the second 
as he was taken to the gallows with the expectation of 
soon entering the darkness of death, after which he 
was again lodged in jail, where he was " heavily loaded 
with the well known log chain and the familiar hand- 
cuffs.^' 

His case now became a subject of legislation, and on 
the 13th of February, 1806, " the Assembly appointed 
a committee to prepare a bill directing the execution 
of Stephen Arnold." In April, 1806, the legislature 
extended his reprieve until the next March, and in 
this month it commuted his sentence from death to 
imprisonment for life. 

The following extract of a letter from him to his 
parents, shows with what feelings a murderer turns 
from the gallows to the prison : 

'' I feel very thankful to the Lord and the people 
that my sentence is thus mitigated, and (knowing I 
never intended any such thing) I hope it will, in the 
Lord's own time, be mitigated again." — Otsego Herald^ 
July 25th, 1805. 

Arnold was a school teacher, and his crime was that 
of whipping the girl to death, because she did not pro- 
nounce the word gig according to his directions, a 
thing which it is said she could not do, but continued 



140 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

to pronounce itjifj- Omitting some of the worst fea- 
tures of his cruelty, it is sufficient to add that he took 
her out of his house, " into the severely cold evening 
air '^ (she lived with him, he had no children), and 
there whipped her naked body until he himself became 
cold He then took her in and tried to make her pro- 
nounce the word correctly, which she failed to do, and 
again she was taken out and whipped in the same 
manner. This act of barbarity he repeated seven times. 
The poor child languished four daj-s and expired. In 
the meantime he declared that he " liad as lieve icliip 
her to death as not." His crime was committed in 
Burlington, Otsego county. 

Levi Kelley. 

Abraham Spafard, who lived in the house of Levi 
Kelley, a house also occupied by the latter, about three 
miles north of Cooperstown, was shot by Mr. Kelley, 
on the 3d of September, 1827. In reference to this 
murder the editor of the Freeman'' s Journal remarked : 

"It is with mingled feelings of alarm and regret 
we mention the fact that, although this is ih.Q fourth 
trial for murder which has ever, since its organization, 
occurred in the county of Otsego, yet it is the tldrcl 
which has happened within the brief period of the last 
eighteen months. ^^ 

By this remark we learn how necessary it had become 
for the people to take immediate measures to check this 
worst of crimes. The sentence jironounced upon Mr. 
Kelley by his honor Judge Samuel Nelson, contains the 
particulars of his trial, the facts therein being appro- 
priately adduced as preliminary to the final decision of 
the court. His trial began on the 21st, and ended on 
the 22d of November. 

Kelley' s Sentence. — His honor Judge Nelson said : 
In the remarks we may deem it our duty to make, pre- 
liminary to the sentence of the law, it is not our inten- 
tion to say anything which may tend to distract your 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 141 

miocl, or violate and abuse your feelings. That period 
of your life lias arrived when the language of reproof 
and denunciation would be idle and cruel. In calling 
your attention, on this solemn and interesting occasion, 
to the circumstances which have led to your conviction, 
we are only solicitous to awaken your mind to a proper 
sense of your guilt, its peculiar heinousness and enor- 
mity, and to the justice of that judgment which the law 
has denounced against it. 

We are the more encouraged to hope for this result 
from the fact that you have been born and educated in 
a well-informed and Christian community, and during 
your whole life, now past middle age, have been in 
habits of intercourse and association with respectable 
society and connections. Your melancholy end has not 
the apology of ignorance, nor want of early and paternal 
care in preparing you for life. The bounties of Pro- 
vidence have been bestowed upon you in reasonable 
abundance, and you possess a beloved family, indefatiga- 
ble to afford you all the comforts and enjoyments of do- 
mestic hajipiness. A mind thus educated and improved, 
thus acquainted with the various relations of society, 
the necessity of social order, of laws and the obligations 
to obey them, can not be insensible to the evidences of 
guilt, nor the propriety and justice of its punishment. 
In the solitude and silence of your prison, intermediate 
the sentence and the execution of the law, you will have 
time and opportunity afforded you for a thorough in- 
vestigation of all the circumstances of your guilt. It 
behooves you to examine them, not for the purpose of 
excuse or palliation to calm and quiet the anguish of a 
troubled soul, but with the intent of ascertaining its 
extent and aggravation. 

The character of Spafard, which appeared upon the 
trial conspicuous for many amiable and estimable quali- 
ties, particularly in those most interesting to you, for 
placability of temper, forbearance under strong provoca- 
tion, in his nature averse to contention and strife, will 



142 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

not then fail to make a proper impression upon jour 
mind. You will remember how often while he lived 
under your roof as your tenant, these Christian virtues 
were severely tried and exemplified in his intercourse 
with yourself. Your irascible and impetuous passions, 
unreasonable and unfeeling conduct, assailed him in 
every mode your relative situation permitted, to outrage 
and exasperate his feelings, yet he bore your insults 
and abuse with that evenness and meekness of tem- 
per, that humility and forbearance of spirit, which 
should have softened and subdued the most ferocious 
passions, and recommended him to your afi"ection and 
confidence. 

A recurrence to the facts which appeared upon the 
trial must satisfy you that the life of this man was 
taken without provocation or excuse. You causelessly 
and violently attacked a boy, for the time under his 
care and protection. He would have been wanting in 
his duty as a citizen and in humanity as a man, if he 
had not interposed — he was bound to do so ; you w^ell 
knew that this was his only purpose ; he repeatedly so 
expressed himself ; when the fury of your passions was 
turned from the boy against him, he besought you to 
desist; he used no more force, exerted no more strength 
upon you than was necessary for his defence ; no blow 
was struck or violence committed ; you repeatedly re- 
fused to let him alone; he at last unclenched your 
hands from his throat, and retired quietly into his 
house ; you went into yours, but instead of remain- 
ing there quiet and peaceable, you seized your gun, 
returned and followed the deceased into hia room, and 
while there, unsuspecting your design, unconscious of 
your bloody purpose, in the midst of his family, in the 
presence of your own affrighted wife, you shot him to 
the heart. " Oh ! Lord, I am a dead man," were the 
only words he could utter, and he expired in the arms 
of his distracted and disconsolate family. 

You have been long under the dominion of cruel and 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 143 

vindictive passions. Instead of endeavoring to restrain 
and subdue tliem, you have willingly yielded to their 
influence. The violent denunciations of the deceased, 
the threats of deadly malignity towards him, so fre- 
quently repeated, disclose their character and control. 
To their iuduljrence, without cause or excuse, must be 
attributed your ignominious end. Your malice to the 
deceased may not have been settled and implacable ; 
you may not have brooded over his fate, but the cir- 
cumstances under which the deadly purpose was accom- 
plished should convince you that your guilt is not there- 
by diminished. 

We recommend you to consecrate the remainder of 
your days to a reconciliation with your God. You have 
broken that injunction from above — " Thou shalt not 
kill," and are thereby exposed to the vengeance of Hea- 
ven. Wicked and guilty as you have been, the Bible 
which you have been taught to read may keep you from 
despair. The sacrifice of a broken spirit, a broken and 
contrite heart, will not be despised. Hasten to make 
that offering, that your life in the world beyond the 
grave may not be as miserable as it has been wicked in 
this one. 

The sentence of the law is, that you, Levi Kelley, on 
the 28th of December next, between the hours of 12 at 
noon and 3 thereafter, be taken from the prison to the 
place of execution, and there hung by the neck until 
you are dead. And may Grod have mercy on your im- 
mortal soul. 

His Execution. — This occurred at the time specified, 
on the ground about 25 rods nearly south of the Semi- 
nary. We find the following painful account of it : 

The weather during the preceding day and night had 
been tempestuous, and on the morning of Friday the 
rain fell in torrents ; yet our village was thronged with 
men, women and children, before 12 o'clock m., at 
about which time the military, composed of Capt. 



144 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

Clark's company of cavalry, Capt. Bourne's corps of 
artillery, Capt. Comstock's and Capt. Dixon's companies 
of infantry, and two companies of militia, were formed 
into a hollow square, under tlie direction of Capt. Com- 
stock and Quartermaster Sabin, as marshals, and marched 
to the jail, from which the convict was taken by Sheriff 
Hiser, apparently in a very feeble s.tate of health, and 
placed ujDon a bed in a sleigh drawn by his own horses. 
He was dressed in his usual apparel. The sleigh, 
with two others, in which were the Rev. Mr. Smith 
and the Rev. Mr. Potter, entered the hollow square, 
and the whole mass moved to the ground fixed upon for 
the j)lace of execution, situated south of the Court 
House, and not far from the Methodist chapel. 

On arriving at the gallows, a scene ensued which 
beggars all description. A staging of 100 feet in length 
and 12 in depth, the front being elevated 6 and the rear 
8 feet from the ground, erected for the accominodation 
of spectators, and under and upon which it is computed 
there were at least 600 persons, suddenly gave way and 
fell with a tremendous crash. Then came the lamenta- 
tions of the multitude for the safety of their friends and 
relatives, and the rush to their relief. A scene, unex- 
pected and horrifying, was eminently calculated to ab- 
sorb ever}^ other feeling, and an assemblage of more 
than 4000 persons seemed for an instant enchained in 
their tracks. Efforts at relief, however, were promptly 
made, and a number of bodies were drawn from under 
the fallen timbers in a state of total insensibility. 
Among them was the body of Mr. Elisha C. Tracy, en- 
graver, of this village, the upper part of whose face was 
actually crushed in more than an inch. Life was 
wholly extinct. An elderly man, resident at Richfield, 
named Daniel Williams, had his leg and arm broken, 
and died at about 5 o'clock p. m. Mrs. Patten, wife 
of Mr. David Patten of Otsego, had a limb fractured, 
and a daughter of Mr. Jacob M. Platner of this village, 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 145 

had her leg broken and body much bruised. Twenty 
or thirty other persons, among whom was a young man 
from Springfield, named Stanard, were severely hurt. 

So soon as the high excitement of this calamitous 
event had in some degree subsided, by the ascertain- 
ment of the injuries received, and by the removal of the 
dead and wounded from the ground, the convict was 
taken from the sleigh and assisted to ascend the gal- 
lows, and upon the rope being noosed about his neck by 
the sheriff, and his soul commended to the mercy of 
God, in a short prayer from the Rev. Mr. Smith, in 
which he appeared to participate, the drop fell, and 
after a few slight twitchiugs of his limbs, his body hung 
for thirty minutes, a monument of the vengeance of the 
law for the wrongful taking of the life of a sensible 
being in the violence of a passion. Upon cutting the 
rope and letting down the body, it was committed to- 
the care of his relatives for Christian burial. 

After Kelley had ascended the gallows he looked 
down upon the affrighted multitude and anxiously in- 
quired — " How many, and who are killed and injured?'^ 

David Darby. 

This man was tried here in December, 1826, for the 
murder of Smith B. Reynolds. He was convicted, and 
was sentenced by Hon. Samuel Nelson, but his sentence 
was commuted by De Witt Clinton, March, 1827, to 
confinement in prison during life. He died, however^ 
in Cooperstown jail. 

Dennison Rogers. 

His trial, for the murder of his wife, in Plainfield^ 
occurred here in April, 1845, Judge Gridley presiding. 
He was acquitted. '•' The case, however, exhibited 
enormities of conduct which, under an indictment for 
manslaughter^ would probably have immured him in the 
state prison during life.'^ His crime was committed in 
a fit of intemperance. A little lack of testimonv to 

13 



146 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

identify him as the one who inflicted the fatal blows, 
secured his acquittal. 

Patrick McNamara, 

He was tried in this village, June 28, 1859, for the 
murder of his wife in Richfield. His guilt was so evi- 
dent, that this community and that in which the crime 
was committed, saw hardly a possibility of his escape 
from the extreme penalty of the law. He was tried 
before Judge Balcom. The club with which he pound- 
ed her to a jelly — a club stained with her blood — was 
produced in the court. Concurrent testimony left no 
ground of doubt that he was the murderer. Yes, his 
own confession that he killed, and deliberately resolved 
to kill her, was produced. His confession to Morgan 
Bryan, as sworn to, was — " I thought I had hurt her so 
badly that she could not live, and then 1 took a cluh and 
finished her.'' 

How the jury before whom he was tried, in the face 
of their oaths and in view of the divine law that de- 
mands the life of the murderer, could pronounce such a 
wretch not gidlti/ of murder, will ever be a matter of 
surprise to many who attended that trial and heard the 
verdict of guilt which takes from a man only the privi- 
leges of society by his being confined in prison for life. 

Mrs. Elizabeth P. McCraney's 

Trial in this village, for murder, will long be remem- 
bered as an index of enormous crimes committed by 
some person. Her first trial for murder by poison, 
supposed to have been administered to her step-daugh- 
ter Huldah Baker, occurred in December, 1860, Judge 
Mason, presiding. She was acquitted. 

In June, 1861, she was tried again for murder, 
charged with the crime of having poisoned Allen Baker, 
her husband's brother, Judge Balcom, presiding. She 
was acquitted. 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 147 



JUDGES. 

The first constitution of the state of New York, 
adopted in 1777, provided for a council of appoint- 
ment, who appointed a first judge in every county in 
the state, to hold the ofiice during good behavior, or 
until he attained the age of 60 years, and his associate 
judges held ofiice during the pleasure of the council, 
but new commissions were issued to them every three 
years. 

The second constitution, which took eff"ect in 1823, 
provided for the appointment of first judges of counties 
and their associates, by the governor and senate, for the 
term of five years. 

The third and present constitution, adopted in 1846, 
provides that there shall be but one " county judge in 
each county," to be elected by the people, and for four 
years. 

County Judges. 

1. William Cooper, founder of this village, first 
judge, from 1791 to 1799. 

2. Dr. Joseph White of Cherry Valley, from 1799 
to 1823. 

3. John C. Morris of Butternuts, from 1823 to 1828. 

4. George Morell of Cooperstown, from 1828 to 
1833. 

5. James 0. Morse of Cherry Valley, from 1833 to 
1838. 

6. Jabez D. Hammond of Cherry Valley, from 1838 
to 1843. 

7. Charles C. Noble of Unadilla, from 1843 to 1848. 

8. James Hyde of Richfield, county judge, from 
1848 to 1852. 

9. Samuel S. Bowne of Morris, from 1852 to 1856. 

10. Levi C. Turner of Cooperstown, from 1856 until 
the present, having been reelected in 1859. 



148 history of cooperstown. 

Resident Judges of Cooperstown. 

Hon. WtlUam Cooper., a native of Burlington, N. J., 
after whom this village was named, and the father of 
James Fenimore Cooper, was the first. 

Hon. Geo7'ge Morell was a native of Lenox, Mass., 
graduated at Williams college, became a resident of 
this village, and commenced the practice of the law in 
1811. He removed to the state of Michigan in 1833, 
where he was one of the judges of the supreme court 
of the state. Brig. Gen. George W. Morell of the U. 
S. army, is the only son of Judge Morell, and was born 
in this village, and graduated with the first honors at 
West Point military academy. 

^0??. Samuel Nelson^ a native of Washington county, 
N. Y., graduated at Middlebury college, Vt., and com- 
menced the practice of the law in Cortland county, in 
1817, and was appointed circuit judge in 1823. In 
1831 he was appointed one of the judges of the su- 
preme court, and in 1837 was appointed chief justice 
of the supreme court of this state, and in 1845, was ap- 
pointed associate justice of the supreme court of the 
United States, which office he now holds. At the time 
of this last appointment. Col. Prentiss, in his paper, re- 
marked : '' This information will be agreeable to the 
feelings of this community, where Judge Nelson is well 
known and most highly respected as a jurist and 
citizen." 

At this date, 18G2, after he has worn the judicial 
ermine of various grades during a period of nearly 
forty years, and that of the highest grade for seventeen 
years, it is still agreeable to the feelings of his fellow- 
citizens that he should bear the honors of his good 
behavior. Although his winters have been spent mostly 
in Washington, and his duties have kept him absent 
from Cooperstown much of the time, yet, on his return, 
the great dignity of his bearing is so much overba- 
lanced by the cordiality of his manners, and by his in- 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 149 

terest in the political, social, religious and business affairs 
of this community, that all classes are attracted by his 
presence and greet him with pleasure. 

He married, for his second wife, the daughter of 
Judge Russell, and became a resident of Cooperstown in 
1825. 

Hon. Ehen B. Morehouse. — Judge Morehouse was 
born at Hillsdale, Columbia county, N. Y., and at the 
time of his death was fifty-eight years of age. He 
was educated a physician, and served in the capacity 
of a surgeon in the militia on our northern frontier 
during the war of 1812. After the war he removed to 
this place, about the year 1815, abandoned the profes- 
sion of medicine, and commenced the study of law in 
the office of Stranhan & Jordan, in which profession he 
was actively and uninterruptedly engaged, with the ex- 
ception of a brief period when he served the county 
for one year in the legislature of this state, until the 
time of his death. He formerly held the office of dis- 
trict attorney some ten years, the duties of which he 
discharged with ability, and always maintained a high 
standing in his profession. 

At the first election under the new constitution, he 
was chosen judge of the supreme court of this state, 
in the sixth district, and drew for the longest term, 
having six years to serve from the 1st of January, 
1850. During the brief period of his services upon 
the bench he acquired a high reputation. His mind, 
naturally strong and vigorous, was cultivated and disci- 
plined by a long course of patient application, and the 
evidence of his abilities will be found in his recorded 
legal opinions. 

The death of Judge Morehouse has not only de- 
prived the legal profession of an ornament, but has 
caused an irreparable loss in the social circle, which, by 
his intelligence, his good humor, and the kindly sym- 
pathies of his heart, he was peculiarly fitted to adorn. 



150 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

Extract from a letter from Hon. J. D. Hammond to 
the editors of tlie Freeman's Journal : 

" His mind, both by nature and education, was pecu- 
liarly fitted for the able discharge of his official duties. 
Its discriminating and keen logical powers, improved 
and enlarged by extensive legal learning, excelled that 
of most men who attain the highest rank as jurists. 
At the bar he will long be remembered for his skill and 
tact in his profession, for his courtesy, candor and sin- 
cerity, and for his wit, which, though never called forth 
by ill humor, or unkind feeling, was keen and scathing 
as well as infinitely amusing. His integrity was stern 
and unyielding. Upon this man in high health, in the 
maturity of his years, and in the ripeness and full vigor 
of his intellectual faculties, has fallen the pall of death ! 
Alas, how irreparable the loss ! 

" I have been intimate with him for nearly forty years. 
I do not intend to write an eulogy on the dead, but I 
send you the wailings of a friend. J. D. H.'' 

Cherry Valley, Dec. 17th, 1849. 

At a meeting of the Otsego bar, in Cooperstown, 
Dec. 19th, 1849, appropriate resolutions in respect to 
him were passed, one of which was : 

That in the sudden and deeply lamented death of the 
Hon. Eben B. Morehouse, our community has been 
deprived of one of its most valuable citizens, the mem- 
bers of the bar of this and the surroundino- counties, 
of a brother, admired by his associates for the strength 
and brilliancy of his intellectual powers, venerated for 
his great legal learning, esteemed for his integrity 
and candor, and beloved for his courtesy and social 
qualities, and the state of New York of a bright and 
distinguished ornament of her supreme judiciary. 

He married a daughter of Dr. Thomas Fuller. He 
died Dec. IGth, 1849. 

Hon. Schuyler Crijypen, a native of Worcester, 
Otsego county, N. Y., resided and practiced law in his 
native town until 1836, when he removed to this vil- 



HISTORY CF COOPERSTOWN. 151 

« 

lage. In 1851 lie was elected justice of the supreme 
court for the unexpired term (four years) of Judge 
Morehouse, deceased. He married for his second wife 
the daughter of Isaac Cooper, Esq., a brother of the 
eminent novelist. Both he and his companion have 
long been numbered among the most highly respected 
residents of Cooperstown. 

Bon. Levi C. Turner of this village, is a native 
of Claremont, N. H., and received his collegiate educa- 
tion at Dartmouth and Union colleges, studied law with 
Judge Morehouse of this place, and with Judge Jones 
of Schenectady, and became a resident of Cooperstown 
in 1827. He was elected county judge in 1855, and 
still holds that office, having been reelected in 1859. 
He married the daughter of Robert Campbell, Esq. 

During thirty years Judge Turner has been an habit- 
ual writer for political and periodical papers and maga- 
zines. He has been the principal editor of the Otsego 
Republican sixteen of the thirty years it has been pub- 
lished ; was five years editor of the Cincinnati Gazette^ 
and for ten years the weekly contributor to the Neio 
York Tribune^ and to the Cleveland Herald. 

Associate County Judges. 

From the first organization of the county in 1791 to 
1847, when the present state constitution took effect, 
each county had a first judge, and associate judges. 
Since 1847 each county has had but one county judge. 

The associate judges of this county who were residents 
of Cooperstown, were Elihu Phinney, from 1796 to 
1802; Elijah H. Metcalf, from 1806 to 1815; John 
Russell, from 1815 to 1821 ; Elisha Foote, from 1821 
to 1840; Hiram Kinne, from 1837 to 1847. 

Judge Kinne was a resident of Butternuts when ap- 
pointed, but removed to this village on being appointed 
surrogate, and still resides here, highly respected for 
his intelligence, integrity and kindness. The other as- 
sociate judges have long since deceased. 



152 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 



MEMBERS OF THE BAR. 

These, during tlie year 1861, were seventeen in num- 
ber, viz : 

William H. Averell, Samuel A. Bowen, George 
Brooks, Luther I. Burditt, Richard Cooper, Edwin 
Countryman (district attorney), Schuyler Crippen (ex- 
justice of supreme court), Edwin M. Harris, Horace 
Lathrop, James A. Lynes, Thomas Mcintosh (surro- 
gate), Ezra Smith, Hezekiah Sturges, Levi C. Turner 
(county judge), Lyman J. Walworth, William Wendell, 
Jerome B. Wood. 

Law Firms. 

Averell & Wood, Burditt & Lynes, Crippen & 
Brooks, Lathrop & Harris, Sturges & Countryman, 
Walworth & Wendell. 

Among the most distinguished lawyers of Otsego 
county, the name of Robert Campbell should be men- 
tioned. He was born in Cherry Valley in 1782, was a 
graduate of Union college, became a resident of Coop- 
erstown in 1802, and resided here until his death. For 
more than a quarter of a century he was popularly 
designated far and near as the honest lawyer, and his 
legal opinions and advice among his professional breth- 
ren were highly appreciated, and were regarded as the 
end of the law. 

The following tribute of respect is from the pen of 
the late Hon. John H. Prentiss : 

" Mr. Campbell had been in the practice of law here 
about forty-five years, during all which time he main- 
tained a high character for integrity and ability in his 
profession ; and in the relation of citizen and neighbor 
he secured the respect and esteem of all, by an exem- 
plary deportment, and rendered himself useful as a 
member of society by a ready participation of his mind 
and means for benevolent and other commendable ob- 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 158 

jects, connected with the improvement of the social 
condition of the village of his residence. 



THE CAMPBELL FAMILY. 

Here we are tempted to overstep the boundaries of the 
corporation. There are some incidents and events per- 
sonal and historical connected with the Campbell family, 
the relation of which will repay the reader for this 
brief digression, and we take this liberty the more 
readily since several of the members of that family 
have been and still are intimately associated with this 
village. 

Col. Samuel Campbell, the father of Robert 
Campbell, when a child, was brought to Cherry Valley, 
from Londonderry, N. H., in 1741. During the revo- 
lutionary days he was one of the Freeborn Sons of 
Liberty. In 1775 he was a minute man, was one of the 
committee of safety — participated prominently in the 
border warfare of the state, and was a commander at 
the bloody battle of Oriskany. He strongly fortified 
his homestead in Cherry Valley for the protection of 
his household, and as a place of refuge and safety, for 
the neighboring families against the attacks of Brant 



and Butler and their savage followers. 

At the Cherry Valley massacre (Nov. 11, 1778), 
Col. Campbell was absent from home. His house, and 
his barns filled with hay and grain, were burned, and 
his wife and four children were taken away captives. Af- 
ter cold and protracted wanderings, more than 300 miles, 
they reached an Indian settlement where Greneva now 
stands, and there Mrs. Campbell was sef)arated from her 
children, and was taken to Niagara, where she remained 
with the Indians until the summer of 1780, when she 
was taken to Montreal where she joined one of her 
children (James S. Campbell, then seven years old), 
and finally, with her children was exchanged for the 
wife and children of Col. Butler, and was restored to 



154 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

her husband at Troy, but did not return to the Cherry 
Valley homestead until 1784. 

Col. Campbell had six children, five sons and one 
daughter, of whom the only survivor is James S. 
Campbell, the Indian captured boy, now past his nine- 
tieth birth day. He still resides upon the old homestead 
in vigorous health and faculties seemingly unimpaired. 

The 15th day of December, 1860, was the sixtieth an- 
niversary of Ms wedding, and on that day his eight child- 
ren, after a separation of twenty-eight years, scattered 
over the land from the St. Lawrence to the Isthmus 
and California, reassembled at their birth place to cele- 
brate the diamond wedding of their parents, and found 
the family circle still unbroken. 

Amonji" the ei^ht children were the Rev. Dr. x\lfred 
E. Campbell who was pastor of the Presbyterian church 
in Cooperstown during thirteen years, and the Hon. 
William W. Campbell, one of the present justices of 
the supreme court, in this state, and in this district. 

Judge Turner of this village, being the son-in-law 
of Robert Campbell, deceased, was also present, and as 
his brief speech on that joyous and memorable occasion 
discloses some exceedingly interesting facts and cir- 
cumstances connected with the family and homestead, 
it is here inserted. He said : 

" This is an occasion, distini>'uishable from others of 
the like kind, that have been observed and celebrated. 

" It is very seldom that a husband and wife celebrate 
the sixtieth anniversary of their wedding — scarcely 
ever has such an anniversary been observed at the same 
old homestead, where the parties have spent sixty con- 
tinuous years of wedded life ; and never before I ap- 
prehend, were their eight children present and partici- 
pating — being all the children born unto the venerable 
wedded pair — present and participating in celebrating 
their parents' sixtieth wedding anniversary, and at the 
old homestead where they were all born and bred ! 

" Yes, at this old homestead, where Washington was 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 155 

a guest sixty-seven years ago — the same old homestead 
that is historically associated with the stirring events 
of the revolutionary days, and with the conflagrations, 
imprisonments, barbarities and massacres of Brant and 
his tory and savage allies, eighty-two years ago — 
the same old homestead of 200 acres, that is promi- 
nently distinguishable as never having been sold or de- 
mised — passing from father to son by gift, during the 
lifetime of the father, and the other children volunta- 
rily and gratuitously releasing their prospective interest 
therein to the son — the same old homestead that has 
never been incumbered by mortgage, judgment or other 
lien, during the one hundred and twenty years it has 
been in the possession of the family ! 

" These are some of the reasons for my saying, that 
this anniversary celebration is, personally and locally, 
distinguishable from any and all others of like kind, of 
which I have any knowledge. 

" But why am I here, to-day, participating in these 
joyous festivities? In answer to your call, I say that I 
am here, simply, as the matrimonial appendage of my 
better half — who, and her surviving brother, are the 
only representatives of the late Robert Campbell, Esq., 
who was raised upon this old homestead. And inasmuch 
as it is impossible to disclose family secrets to outsiders 
here to-day, you will permit me to say, that although my 
wife and I are, in many respects, twain^ the dissimilarity 
between us is so mutually attractive, that during over 
thirty years of wedded life, there has been no threat or 
intimation of secession or separation — each year strength- 
ening the cohesive attachment of our Union. But in 
all matters and things, opinions and sentiments of, 
and concerning, pertaining and appertaining to the 
Campbell clan, my wife and I are one — of one mind 
and one flesh. 

" And now, venerable and venerated bridegroom — 
Uncle Campbell — permit me to congratulate you on this 
joyous sixtieth anniversary of your wedding day; and 



156 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

to greet you as among the most eminently favored of 
men — that your life has been spared to see this day, 
surrounded by all your children and so large a number 
of your children's children. 

" And you, Aunt Campbell, I congratulate most cor- 
dially and greet most affectionately. For thirty years 
I have respected you for your noble womanly quali- 
ties — honored you as the mother of these children. 
Children it is true, but now grown up to the aggregate 
height of nearly Jifty feet — individually honorable, 
honored and useful members of society, and all fine 
specimens of human kind. Few women have ever been 
blessed as you have been, and few, if any, more deser- 
vingly. 

" And now, children and grandchildren, and all 
others here present, consanguineously or matrimonially 
connected with the Campbell clan, I salute you all in- 
dividually and collectively, upon this joyous anniversary 
festival, for it is one we shall pleasantly remember so 
long as we shall live." 

PHYSICIANS IN 1862. 

P. E. Johnson, T. B. Smith, 

J. S. Sprague, S. Blodgett. 

Horace Lathrop, Jr., 

DENTISTS. 
E. P. By ram, C. I. Wadsworth. 

OLD RESIDENTS. 

^ Citizens who have been permanent residents of the 
village fifty years and over, and who were living in the 
year 1861 : 

Elihu Phinney, Mrs. John M. Bowers, 

Calvin Grraves, William Nichols, 

Abner Graves, Mrs. William Nichols, 

Mrs. Isaac Cooper, Stephen Gregory, 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 157 

Mrs. Stephen Gregory, Simeon Waterman, 

William Wilson, Seth Doubleday, 

Mrs. Wm. Wilson, Mrs. Setli Doubleday, 

Wm. H. Averell, G-eorge Pomeroy, 

Miss Emma Fuller, Mrs. George Pomeroy, 

Mrs. E. B. Morehouse, Mrs. Schuyler Crippen, 
Mrs. Lawrence McNamee, Miss Martha Bowers, 

Henry Scott, Mrs. Samuel Bingham, 

Henry Metcalf, Thomas Bronk [colored], 

J. R. Worthington, John H. Prentiss, 

George Story, Mrs. John H. Prentiss, 

Mrs. Levi C. Turner, George W. Ernst, 

E. B. Crandal, Richard Cooper, 

Mrs. E. B. Crandal, Henry B. Ernst, 

Mrs. J. I. Paul, Ariel Thayer. 

Thirty-eight in all. 

SOLDIERS OF 1812, NOW LIVING. 

Simon Yansice, Chauncey Chapman, 

William Ray, Ariel Thayer. 

PROMINENT CITIZENS. 

Although we can not detail the merits of all the 
worthy citizens of Cooperstown, yet there have been 
some, besides those specially mentioned in other parts of 
this volume, who are entitled to more than a passing 
notice. If any equally meritorious with those named 
are here omitted, the fault can not justly be ascribed to 
a respect of persons. The delicate task of speaking of 
even a few is undertaken with diffidence. 

Hon. Elihu Phinney. 
What his own pen claimed for himself many years 
ao^o, in the followiua; editorial, was doubtless accorded 
to him cheerfully by his fellow citizens; said he : " Ihe 
editor reminds his Otsegonian friends that in the win- 
ter of 1795, he penetrated a wilderness, and hrohe a 

14 



158 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

tracli through a deep snow, with six teams, in the depth 
of winter, and was received with a cordiality bordering 
on homage, to preserve which has ever been his aim. 
He trusts this will ensure to him the approbation of all 
the American citizens of Otsego, especially of those 
who, like himself, came through perils and dangers. 
Fourteen years, nearly, he has faithfully detailed the 
passing events, with a strict regard to his motto." 
(See Otsego Herald^ p. 104). 

He was distinguished for his wit and satire, often 
expressed in rhyme. His bookstore furnished a large 
section of country with an elementary literature, and 
with many historical works. It was in the printing office 
of Judge Phinney that Fenimore Cooper, when a boy, 
was in the habit of setting type "for fun," which 
experience he afterwards stated was very useful to him 
in his connection with the press as an author. 

Judge Hammond (author of Political Histoi^y of New 
York, etc.), in a public address at Cooperstown in 1852, 
referring to the men of a half century earlier, said : 

" I remember the Hon. Elihu Phinney with aifection- 
ate regard. His excellent judgment, his sparkling wit, 
and his fine social qualities, rendered him a most esti- 
mable citizen." 

The following is from the JVeiv York Gomimercial 
Advertiser of Aug., 1841, then edited by the late Col. 
William L. Stone, author of the Life of Brant, etc : 

'■ The Coo'perstown Freeman's Journal announces the 
death, on Saturday of Mrs. Mary Phinney, widow of 
the late Elihu Phinney, of that village, and mother of 
the celebrated inland book publishers, H. & E. Phinney, 
at the great age of 87. We remember the deceased, 
from the days of our boyhood. Judge Phinney, her 
husband, was the pioneer editor of the country west of 
Albany. After publishing a small newspaper {The Go- 
Imnhia Merciirij) for a few years in the town of Canaan, 
(now the county of Columbia) he removed to Coopers- 
town, soon after the founding of that beautiful village 



HISTORY OT COOPERSTOWN, 159 

by Judge Cooper. He there established The Otsego 
Herald or Western Advertiser — and with the over- 
throw of John Adams' administration he went over to 
the ranks of Mr. Jefferson in opposition to the views 
of his patron, who remained a federalist. It was in 
the columns of the Herald that the essays, afterwards 
collected in a volume, The Political Wars of Otsego, 
were published. The parties to those papers were Gren. 
Jacob Morris, Moss Kent, Jedediah Peck, Joseph 
Strong (late of this city), and Gen. Ten Broeck. This 
last mentioned gentleman was the original of Cooper's 
parenthetical lawyer in the Pioneers^ his compositions 
having been remarkable for parentheses. All are dead 
save Gen. Morris. In 1808, Col. John H. Prentiss, 
editor of the Freeman's Journal, and late a member of 
congress, went into Otsego from the office of the New 
York Evening Post, to oppose the Otsego Hercdd. 
Judge Phinney continued in the conduct of the Hercdd 
until about'the year 1813 ) soon after which he died, 
having been for several years infirm." 

Henry and Elihu Phinney. 

These were two sons of the one above mentioned. 
Their zeal and integrity in the publishing business 
added much to the life and growth of the village dur- 
ing a period of nearly half a century. The editions of 
their Bibles, religious books in general, school books, 
histories, &c., &c., found their way into nearly every vil- 
lage in the interior and western parts of the state. Their 
firm continued to enjoy the respect of the people, and 
was prospered even amid great reverses by fire until the 
death of Henry. The surviving brother, Elihu, now 
one of the oldest and most highly respected citizens of 
the village, for a number of years has lived in com- 
parative retirement from business, enjoying his well 
earned competence. 

The following is abridged from Blake's Biographical 
Dictionary, Phila., 1856. " Henry Phinney, born 
Oct. 20, 1781, died Sept. 14, 1850; of the firm of H. 



160 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

& E. Pliinney, who attained the highest respectability 
as citizens as well as publishers and booksellers. No 
house out of our largest cities, and but few in them at 
that period, evinced greater or more efficient enterprise 
in the book trade, than these gentlemen, who, following 
the business of their father, and enlarging upon it, 
established the book business, early in the present cen- 
tury, in the village of Cooperstown, and as early as 
1820, a stereotype foundry, casting a set of plates for 
a quarto Family Bible (one of the first ever made in the 
United States), from which some 200,000 copies were 
manufactured by them. They also soon reprinted seve- 
ral standard English books, religious, historical and 
educational. In 1839, Henry Frederick Phinney 
eldest son of Elihu, became a partner [the name of the 
firm remaining unchanged] and the business was much 
enlarged. They published the Naval Hhtory of Feni- 
more Cooper ; Judge Hammond's Political History of 
Neio York; Col. Stone's Life of Brant, etc-.; a volume 
of selections from Washington Irvina;, several volumes 
by Rev. Jacob, and John S. C. Abbott; Town's Series of 
School Books; Hale's United States, etc., etc. The de- 
struction of their establishment by fire, in 1849, led to 
the removal of the general business to Buffalo, where 
H. F. & E, Phinney, jr., represented the family in the 
firm of Phinney & Co., which continued some ten 
years. In 1854, H. F. Phinney removed to New 
York, formijig with H. Ivison, the educational pub- 
lishing house of Ivison & Phinney. 

Henry Phinney was for some thirty years treasurer 
of Otsego county, being the successor of his father in 
that office. He was then chosen president of the Otsego 
County bank, and held that position till his death, when 
his brother Elihu succeeded him. Among the many 
persons employed by the Messrs. Phinney, several have 
subsequently become clergymen, statesmen and editors, 
as well as printers and booksellers. 

Henry Phinney died aged 69, leaving an instructive 



HISTORY OF CaOPERSTOWN. 161 

example of talents and integrity with industry and fru- 
gality, resulting in respectability and wealth.'^ 

To the above, from the large biographical work of 
Rev. Dr. Blake, it may be added that the Messrs. Phin- 
ney commenced business with a trifling sum earned by 
their own hands. In 1809, they lost everything by an 
accidental fire. Unknown to them, Judge Cooper im- 
mediately started a subscription (which he headed with 
$100) to aid them in beginning again ; a respectable 
sum was thus tendered them, which although grateful 
for the liberal kindness which dictated it, they declined, 
preferring to go on their own resources. They accepted 
a loan of $1000 for a year or two, from Dr. John Rus- 
sell, and by application and economy, soon retrieved 
their losses. In one of their early publications, they 
procured the literary services of Rev. E. Nott, then 
preaching in Cherry Yalley, and since the distinguished 
president of Union college ; in regard to others, they 
had the advice of their pastor Rev. Dr. Neill and other 
judicious friends. It is believed that no work of im- 
moral or irreligious tendency has ever proceeded from 
their presses or those of their successors, who continue 
for the third generation, in the publishing business. 
The little almanac, or Phinnei/^s Calendar^ so familiar 
to our fathers, was started by Judge Phinney and con- 
tinued by his sons and grandsons. It still lives and 
must have reached near three score years and ten. 
Very few, if any, serials in the United States have 
reached the age of this plain little annual. Its astronomi- 
cal calculations for many years have been made by Prof. 
George R. Perkins, once a boy in their employ, and 
subsequently a professor and author of mathematics, 
and principal of the New York State Normal school. 
Phinneys and Todd owned the first paper mill in this 
part of the country. 

The Messrs. Phinney originated several peculiar me- 
thods of business, among which were large wagons in- 
geniously constructed to serve as locomotive bookstores. 



162 HISTORY OP COOPERSTOWN. 

These had moveable tops and counters, and their shelves 
were stocked with hundreds of varieties of books. Their 
traveling agents or colporteurs drove these to many 
villages where books were scarcely attainable otherwise. 
They also had a canal boat fitted up as a floating book- 
store, which carried a variety beyond that found in 
ordinary village bookstores, anchoring in winter at one 
of the largest towns on the Erie canal. By these means 
a large amount of money was collected from a circuit 
of many hundred miles, which was mostly expended 
here in their manufactory ; this with the trade of the 
families of the proprietors and their workmen, con- 
stituted an important part of the business of the village. 
They also stocked and maintained for many years, the 
largest bookstores in Utica, Buffalo, Detroit and other 
large towns. 

Their introduction of new power presses necessa- 
rily abridging the amount of hand labor, caused some 
jealousy among the workmen discharged, of those re- 
tained. Anonymous threats w-ere received, of burning 
the manufactory unless the old order was restored. No 
attention was paid to these, and the entire manufactory 
was burned at night, in the spring of 1849, causing, of 
course, great distress to scores of workmen and their 
families, and inducing the removal of the publishing to 
Buffalo. A large portion of the loss was covered by 
insurance. The building was replaced by a better one 
in stone, and the local business is continued by Elihu 
Phinney and W. H. Ruggles. The month of March, 
1865, will complete the term of 70 years since the 
first Phinney 's bookstore was opened in Cooperstown. 

The two sons of Mr. Elihu Phinney, H. F. and 
Elihu, jr., have long been extensively engaged in the 
publishing business, and have emulated the example 
of their fathers. The former, H. F., is widely known 
as a partner in the firm of Ivison, Phinney & Co., of 
New York, and the extent and merits of their publica- 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN, 163 

tioDS may be inferred from the following notice taken 
from many others similar : 

" Ivison & Phinney, as educational publishers, hold 
incontestibly the first place in the American ranks, both 
for the enterprise of the house and the character of 
its issues." — New York Christian Advocate and Jour- 
nal. 

John M. Bowers. 

In addition to what is said of him elsewhere, the 
following editorial of the Freeman's Journal of March 
7, 184(3, will be gratifying to many : 

^^ Passing Away. — ^These thoughts struck us while 
witnessing the funeral of Mr. Bowers, on Sunday last, 
which was numerously attended, and a sermon preached 
by the Rev. Mr. Campbell. 

" The pall-bearers, eight in number, were venerable 
looking men, whose heads had been whitened by seven- 
ty winters, and whose interests were identified with the 
deceased by the occupancy of lease-hold farms, and 
long intercourse in the relation of landlord and tenant. 
We heard them speak with the kindest feelings of the 
deceased in that regard, which was no more than an 
emanation of justice, for it is proverbial of him that he 
was the friend of those connected with him by that re- 
lation, and ever disposed to succor those straitened for 
means and struggling in the pathway of life." 

He died Feb. 24, 1846, in his 74th year. 

Lawrence McNamee. 

He was one of the early settlers; was for many years 
an enterprising and successful merchant; and was well 
known as a kind, courteous, benevolent citizen. It has 
been said that he managed his own large estate until 
he was eighty years old. He died July 10, 1854, aged 
82 years. 

He was uncle to Theodore McNamee, Esq., who was 
here when a boy, and who afterwards became one of the 



164 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

merchant princes of New York, in the long well-known 
firm of Bowen & McNamee, which was dissolved several 
years since. 

James L. Fox, M. D. 

During a period of fifteen years, Dr. Fox was re- 
garded as an ornament to his profession, and was highly 
esteemed as a citizen. He died Jan. 16, 1857. 



Mr. and Mrs. Simon Vansice. 

These two individuals are here mentioned as exam- 
ples of respectability in humble life. Both have been 
residents of the village thirty years, and members of 
the Baptist church twenty years. He is a pensioner 
of 1812, having been in the battles of Fort Erie, Chip- 
pewa and Lundy's lane. At the last named place a 
cannon ball passed so near his head as to make him 
insensible for a considerable time, and he has never 
fully recovered from its stunning shock. Long will he 
be remembered in the village as the one who carried 
the charity basket for the religious societies. Mrs. 
Vansice has distinguished herself by her industry, as 
an index of which we need only mention, that during 
five years she, as laundress, received of J. Fenimore 
Cooper between five and six hundred dollars, earning 
in the meantime about an equal amount in doing the 
same work for others. 

James Stowell 

Was a thorough and successful business man, and a 
highly esteemed citizen for about twenty years. He 
died May 4, 1855. 

George Pomeroy. 

This name, for three score years, has been the com- 
mon inheritance of every household in the village. 
Dr. Pomeroy, as he was called, from his long experi- 
ence as druggist, is so familiar a name to our ears that, 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 165 

while it is before the mind, we reluctantly admit that 
the individual has passed away. 

He was born in Northampton, Mass., in 1779 ; re- 
sided in Albany several years, and came to Coopers- 
town in 1801 ; was the first druggist in the village and 
county, and continued in the business for forty years. In 
1803 he married Miss Ann Cooper, sister of J. Feuimore 
Cooper. She is still living. He was esteemed as an 
enterprising, upright, kind citizen, and was beloved as 
a Christian. The day after his death, which occurred 
Dec. 24, 1861, the officers and managers of the Otsego 
County Bible society passed the following preamble 
and resolutions : 

Whereas, in the providence of God, Mr. George Po- 
meroy has been recently removed by death, and was, 
previous to his decease, the last survivor of the original 
founders of this society, and who for nearly half a cen- 
tury was officially and actively concerned in its opera- 
tions, therefore, 

Resolved, That while we reflect with sadness, that 
the Bible cause has been thus bereft of an earnest and 
efficient friend, we have reason to be grateful for the 
service and the testimony of his long and useful life, 
and for the rare example of Christian character it has 
affi^rded. 

Resolved, That we tender our united and cordial 
sympathies to the family of the deceased in their deep 
affliction, and that these proceedings, properly attested, 
be published in the village journals. 

Frederick A. Lee, President. 

Chas. W. Smith, Rec. Sec'y. 

Theodore Keese, Esq. 

Mr. Keese was a native of the city of New York, and 
during the larger portion of his life, a resident thereof; 
but being connected, by marriage, with one of our pio- 
neer families, and, having for more than twenty years 
made this village a summer resort and residence — and 



166 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

during the last ten or twelve years his permanent 
abode — he was claimed and regarded as one of our 
older residents. 

As a New York merchant, he was not simply suc- 
cessful, but prominently distinguishable for his busi- 
ness sagacity and prudence, and undoubted integrity and 
trustworthiness. He was not a merchant merely, ex- 
clusively or chiefly intent on worldly gains, but ever 
and always made the acquisition of heavenly riches the 
controlling aim and object of his life. 

Acquiring at early manhood a competency, with im- 
paired health, he retired from constant and active par- 
ticipation in business ; making this village, at first his 
summer residence, and finally his permanent abode. 
Incapable of being satisfied and happy by indulging in 
luxurious ease, and his liberal impulses and Christian 
spirit revolting at miserly accumulations and penurious 
savings, he o-ratified his cultivated taste and educational 
refinement in beautifying and adorning his residence ; 
and responded unostentatiously and generously, as an 
imperious religious duty, to all truly charitable, benevo- 
lent and religious objects. 

With health gradually improving, came the con- 
scientious promptings to participate again in the actings 
and doings of business men; and accordingly, some two 
years ago, he accepted the presidency of the Bank of 
Cooperstown, not as an honorary position, but as its 
chief financial officer and supervisor ; and became, not 
simply the liberal contributor, but the controlling coun- 
selor and director in all improvements which he re- 
garded of public utility and local embellishment. Mo- 
dest, courteous and unassuming in all his intercourse 
with his fellow men, he was also eminently bold, firm 
and determined in the assertion and practice of the 
right. 

But it was as a Christian man, whose daily walk and 
conversation attractively exemplified the beauty of holi- 
ness, and as a member and.warden of Christ's church, 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 167 

ever laboring to extend its saving influences and to 
" adorn the doctrine of Grod our Saviour in all things,'' 
that the life and character of the deceased were pre- 
eminently distinguished. His anchor-hope was fixed 
in heaven, and his life and death practically and truth- 
fully illustrated, that goodness and godliness are " pro- 
fitable unto all things, having promise of the life that 
now is and of that which is to come." 

He died at his residence in this village, Sept. 27, 
1858, in the 58th year of his age; and the following, 
as well as the preceding, is an expression then made 
in the Otsego Republican, of the loss that was felt in 
the community. 

Although we have the consoling assurance, and in 
that assurance an abiding faith that to die is gain, 
unto such a Christian man and good citizen, still his 
death is not only an afflictive dispensation of Providence 
and irreparable loss to this community, but it is also a 
public calamity. 

" Death has no terrors for the Christian soul," and 
when the mortal of our deceased friend was putting on 
immortality ; when his immortal spirit was resignedly, 
hopefully, peacefully and cheerfully taking its depart- 
ure to God who gave it, he knew that : 

" Death's but a path that must be trod, 
If man would ever pass to God." 

He knew that when his earthly house of this taber- 
nacle should be dissolved, he had a building of God, a 
house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 

The funeral services were held at his late residence 
and the village church, on Friday morning; and his 
remains were deposited in Lakewood cemetery, and (in 
the words of the dedicatory ode, by the deceased), 

there, 

" By the lake, whose sparkling waters 

Lie before us, clear and deep ; 
In the grove and by the hill-side, 

May our beloved sleep. 



168 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

And when our pilgi'im journey 

Brings us here, at last, to rest, 
Be our footsteps safely guided 

In the pathways of the blest." 

At a meeting of the board of directors of the Bank 
of Cooperstown, held Sept. 27, 1858, on the occasion 
of the death of Theodore Keese, Esq., late president of 
the institution, appropriate resolutions were unanimously 
adopted. 

John H. Prentiss. 

[From the Freeman's Journal.] 

Col. John H. Prentiss was born in Worcester, Mass., 
April 17, 1784. In 1808 he was foreman in the office 
of the New York Evening Post; and on the 8th of Oc- 
tober in that year he came to Cooperstown and estab- 
lished this paper, which he continued to edit and 
publish — with the exception of a single year — until 
January, 1849, a period of over forty years. He was 
a man of untiring industry in his business, and as an 
editor he always maintained a prominent position. He 
represented this district in congress during the four 
years of Mr. Van Buren's administration, having been 
reelected on the expiration of his first term. He was 
a useful member, of sound practical views, who served 
his constituency in an acceptable manner. 

For over half a century Col. Prentiss was a resident 
of Otsego, and during that time he had much to do 
in shaping its more important affairs. In all public 
matters affecting the welfare or interest of the county 
he was much consulted, and was generally an active 
participant. Decided and clear in his views, energetic 
and resolute in his action, with a great deal of natural 
strength of character and firmness of purpose, he was 
well suited to public life, and admirably calculated to 
stem the opposition which a man of prominence is al- 
most certain to meet. His interest in public affairs 
was maintained during life. 

As vice-president and afterwards as president of the 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 169 

Bank of Cooperstown, he brought to the discharge of 
his duties a clear head and a general knowledge of bu- 
siness affairs which rendered him a safe adviser and a 
good officer. 

He died June 26th, 1861, after an illness of about 
three months. He bore his sickness and partial con- 
finement with a cheerful resignation remarkable in one 
who, during a lifetime of nearly four score years, had 
enjoyed almost uninterrupted health. We spent some 
time with him on Monday, and up to that date, and 
during all his sickness his mind was clear and strong. 
Indeed we never noticed at any time the first symptom 
of mental decay or weakness. During an hour spent 
with him two weeks ago to-day he remarked : "I think 
this disease has finally got the better of me ; I have 
examined the case carefully, compared it with similar 
ones treated of in a medical work I have, and am con- 
vinced that there can be little if any hope of recovery; 
few old people, I find, are cured of dropsy. If it could 
have pleased a good Providence, I should have been, 
glad to have lived a year or two longer, that I might 
have had a watch-care over the interests of my family 
during these troublous times, and perhaps have wit- 
nessed the restoration of peace to my country ; but I 
am an old man, and have been greatly blessed in the 
enjoyment of uniform good health, for which I feel 
very grateful, as well as for the kindness of my friends.'' 
He then alluded to the pleasure he had derived from, 
the perusal of some excellent books which had been 
sent him by different friends — for he continued to be 
until almost the day of his death, a great reader. Calmly 
he contemplated the approach of death ; and in the 
mercy of a good and forgiving God expressed his hope 
and confidence. 

Col. Prentiss married for his first wife a daughter of 
Gen. Jacob Morris, and for his second wife a daughter 
of Thomas Shankland, Esq., of this village. He leaves 
a widow and four children. 

15 



170 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 



LAKE-WOOD CEMETERY. 

One of the most interesting features of the village is 
the resting place in the grove — God's first temple — 
Lake-Wood cemetery. Its origin is indicated by the 
following remarks from the report of its trustees in 

1857 : 

The Lake-Wood cemetery was organized by a number 
of gentlemen of the village of Cooperstown, during the 
summer of 1856, to meet a requirement which had 
long been felt by the village and its vicinity, of pro- 
viding some more suitable place for the interment of 
the dead than the very limited accommodations of our 
already over-crowded churchyards. 

Its location seems particularly adapted to the pur- 
pose for which it is intended. Its natural advantages 
are great ; lying under the immediate shadow of Mount 
Vision and Prospect rock, and commanding a fine view 
of the lake, village and valley beyond, no requirement 
of a pleasing and quiet landscape is wanting ; while in 
the deep shade of the pines, which ever and anon sing 
their requiem for the departed, or under the lighter 
foliage of the chestnut and the maple, or in the tract 
on the southern extremity of the grounds, ever open 
to the sunlight, all tastes and feelings in the selection of 
lots can be gratified. 

Its first board of trustees consisted of: Samuel 
Nelson, Levi C. Turner, Frederick A. Lee, Ellery 
Cory, Theodore Keese, Joshua H. Story, John R. 
Worthington, Henry J. Bowers, Horace Lathrop, jr. 

At a subsequent meeting the following ofiicers were 
appointed : F. A. Lee, president ; Theodore Keese, 
vice-president; Jerome B. Wood, secretary ; Dorr Rus- 
sell, treasurer. 

In one of the village newspapers of September 18th, 
1857, is found this statement : " It is due to truth 
and justice, however, to accord to Frederick A. Lee, 
Esq., the sole credit of originating this cemetery. It 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 171 

was this gentleman who selected the grounds, who ne- 
gotiated their purchase, and who, at much expense of 
time and labor, succeeded in securing subscriptions for 
that purchase." 

It was dedicated on the 3d of September, 1857, at 
which time a chaste and appropriate address was de- 
livered by Mr. Gr. P. Keese, and a dedicatory ode writ- 
ten by Theodore Keese, Esq., was presented. 

The grounds, 20 acres, artistically laid out, lie aboaat 
a third part of a mile from the village, connected with 
it by a plank walk part of the way, the rest being gra- 
veled and turf-bordered. Many lots have been taste- 
fully decorated and enclosed. Several beautiful monu- 
ments have been erected, especially Cooper's and others, 
which are intended to bear the record of entire families. 
It has a substantial receiving vault, and a keeper's lodge 
at the entrance — Mr. Edwin Bell is keeper. 

The expenditures up to July, 1859, amounted to 
$6,589, and its receipts were $6,427. 

SLAVERY. 

At the present but few imagine that once in the village 
were heard "the crack of the whip and the footsteps of 
fear." But such was the case. In 1799 the following 
notice was published in the Otsego Herald : 

A Young Wench — For Sale. — She is a good cook, 
and ready at all kinds of housework. None can 
exceed her if she is kept from liquor. She is 24 years 
of age — no husband nor children. Price $200 ; inquire 
of the printer. Cooperstown, 19, 1799. 

At the time all the slaves of the state became free, 
a largely attended celebration of the colored population 
of the county was held at Cooperstown. 

Thomas Bronk, formerly a slave, supposed to be 
about 100 years old, and for many years respected for 
his morality and politeness, and now a member of Mr. 
W. H. Averell's household, is the last relic of the 
"peculiar institution" in the village. 



172 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 



HOPS. 

These constitute the most important branch of trade 
in the mercantile business of the village. The hop 
culture was introduced into Otsego county about thirty 
years ago. In 1845 only 168,605 pounds were pro- 
duced. During the month of January of that year 
there was formed at Cooperstown the 

Hop GrRowERs' Association, 

of which John W. Tunnicliff was appointed president, 
George W. Ernst, secretary, and G. W. Ryckman, cor- 
responding agent for foreign countries. 

From the small amount in 1845 there was an in- 
-crease to 3,122,258 pounds in 1855. This amount was 
produced from 4,132 acres. 

TEMPERANCE ORGANIZATION. 

In 1846 the subject of temperance was generally 
agitated, and in Otsego county it had many strong- ad- 
vocates, among whom Abraham Beeker, Esq., should 
be mentioned. In September of that year a society was 
organized in Cooperstown, and the following officers 
were appointed : 

John H. Prentiss, president; John Mason, William 
Kirby and L. Casler, vice-presidents; William C. Fields 
and John F. Mather, secretaries. At different times 
many other similar organizations have existed in Coop- 
erstown. 

RELIEF FOR IRELAND. 

At a numerously attended meeting, held in the Court 
House, March 4th, 1847, those present organized them- 
selves into an association for the relief of the starving 
in Ireland. Robert Campbell, Esq., was chairman and 
Charles McLean was secretary. The meeting was ad- 
dressed briefly by J. Fenimore Cooper^ who moved the 
appointment of a committee of seven to draft appropri- 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 173 

ate resolutions. He was appointed chairman of that 
committee, consisting of himself and Messrs. Phillips, 
Harvey, North, Averell, Davis and McNamee. They 
drew up a set of resolutions which recommended the 
appointing of a central committee with full power to do 
all in the premises that humanity and discretion might 
dictate. The central committee were appointed, and 
their names are found in their address in the biographi- 
cal sketch of Cooper. They thoroughly aroused the 
sympathy and benevolence of the county, and as a re- 
sult of their zeal shipped for Ireland 125 barrels of 
corn and other grain. 

PIERSTOWN. 

This neighborhood, mentioned in the ChronicleSy 
holds a very intimate relation to the village. Its old- 
est inhabitants, among whom are the elder Warrens, 
Julius, Russell and Cyrenus, well known as industrious 
■famers and upright citizens, have participated in all 
of the religious, social and civil interests of Coopers- 
town from its infancy, and some of its inhabitants have 
obtained public distinction, among whom we should 
mention the name of 

Hon. Isaac Williams. 

He came to Pierstown in 1793. His first office was 
that of under sheriiF in 1810 ; he was afterwards sherifi". 
He was member of congress in 1813, was reelected in 
1817, and also in 1823. 

Long may his descendants remember the happy 
thanksgiving assemblies around the hearthstone of this 
honored Otsego patriarch, who has recently closed his 
earthly career. 

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS. 

On the 5th of November, 1800, darkness came over 
the village so dense that at 10 o'clock a. m. lighted 



174 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

candles were necessary to transact ordinary business 
with accuracy. 

A similar day occurred in 1819. 

In 1808, in the garden belonging to Judge Phinney, 
a radish 27 inches in length, 19 inches in circumfer- 
ence, and weighing 8 pounds and two ounces, was raised 
by Mr. Isa. Thurbur. 

The Otsego Rocket, a fast horse, owned in the village 
by Mr. S. T. Winslow, was sold in January, 1856, for 
$1,100. 

In 1852, the Otsego County bank was robbed of about 
$30,000. The rogue has not been detected. During 
this year, between twenty and thirty shoemakers in the 
village " made a strike." In 1852, Rev. Mr. Chapin 
and P. T. Barnum, of New York, were the orators of 
the Fourth in Cooperstown. It will be remembered, 
too, by many as the year in which Mr. F. A. Lee bought 
the house formerly owned by Mr. Henry Phinney, and 
in which Mr. G-. W. Ryckman bought the Hall and 
grounds previously in the possession of J. Fenimore 
Cooper, paying for them the sum of $10,000. Mr. 
Ryckman was at great expense in the improvement of 
the Hall, and opened it as a public house in July, 1853. 
In October, 1853, the Hall, or Cooper House, as it was 
called, and also known as the Ryckman House, was 
burned, having been insured for $32,000. 

In July, 1852, a swarm of bees took possession of 
one of the chimneys of Edgewater, the residence of 
Mr. Theodore Keese, and were not easily dislodged. 
This fact will remind many of the rendezvous which 
the swallows, for several years, at their first appearance, 
have made of one of the chimneys of the house on 
West street fronting Third street, where, for about a 
week, thousands have congregated each evening, form- 
ing a circle about fifty feet in diameter, one point of 
which was over the chimney, into which many were 



HISTORY OF cboPERSTOWN. 175 

constantly dropping, while the rest continued flying on 
in the circle, until all, after about a half an hour, had 
crowded into their retreat for a night's lodgings. 

A course of lectures delivered by Dr. Gleason in 
Cooperstown in the winter of 1858, will not soon be 
forgotten by his hearers. While his lectures upon 
human anatomy and physiology were very instructive, 
illustrated by an extraordinary set of skeletons varying 
in size from the smallest to the largest, and by several 
manikins, he had his hobby, which he rode with great 
success, assailing pork as being almost the chief source 
of all cases of scrofula and scrofulous humors. He 
almost produced a panic in this way, and caused con- 
siderable loss to at least one pork speculator in the vil- 
lage, so many became convinced of its unhealthy nature, 
and ceased to use it for food. 

In September of this year, a company of the Wash- 
ington Continentals, of Albany, visited our village, and 
called together a large number of the citizens of the 
county to witness their parade. They were received 
by a brief and appropriate speech from Hon. L. C. 
Turner. 

In 1859, the village was greatly improved by the 
erection of houses on Chestnut street, and by the erec- 
tion and improvement of stores on Second street; stores 
occupied by Bingham & Jarvis, E. Hollister, and C. J. 
Stillman. 

In July, 1860, a gentleman ascended from the Fair 
grounds in an enormous balloon filled with heated air 
and smoke, rising high enough to pass over Mount 
Vision, beyond the top of which he was safely landed. 

A few days afterwards, he proposed to go up again, 
but after the balloon had risen he was seen among the 
spectators, and, to the surprise of many, " one of the 
boys " of the village was announced as the aeronaut. 
The balloon passed from the Fair grounds steadily 



176 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

towards the lake, until it dropped down into Second 
street, near his father's door, without injury. 

OTSEGO COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 

The first agricultural meeting of this county was held 
at the house of Col. Henry, of this village, Jan. 1st, 
1817, to organize a society for the promotion of agricul- 
ture and the useful arts. Matthew Derbyshire, of Hart- 
wick, chairman; Samuel Coleman, of Otsego, secretary. 

The committee unanimously appointed to draft a con- 
stitution and " necessary papers" for the organization of 
the society, and to submit them for adoption on the 5th 
of February following, were : Rev. John Smith, Mat- 
thew Derbyshire, James Cooper, Strong Hayden, and 
William Crandal. 

Its First Officers were : Jacob Morris, president ; 
John H. Prentiss, recording secretary \ James Cooper, 
cor. secretary. 

The corresponding secretary, now so extensively 
known as an American author, then exhibited a deep 
interest in the agricultural prosperity of this county, as 
may be seen by a glance at his address to its citizens, 
found in the biographical sketch of him in this vol- 
ume. 

The first premiums offered were, for 

Spring Wheat ^ best 2 acres, $12 00 

" 2d best, 8 00 

Indian Corn^ best 2 acres, 12 00 

" " 2d best, 8 00 

Peas, best 2 acres, 10 00 

" 2d best, „ 5 00 

Barley, best 1 acre, 7 00 

Ma2:>le Sugar, best 200 lbs., 10 00 

Cheese, best 20 lbs., , 5 00 

Buch Lamh, best, , 5 00 

Bull, best 3 years old, 10 00 

Swine, best male and female, 5 00 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 177 

Oxen^ best, not over 5 nor under 3 years, .... 10 00 

Cows^ best milcli, 7 00 

" 2d best, 5 00 

Cloth (domestic), best 20 yards made by ex- 
hibitor, 10 00 

Pressed Cloth (women's wear), best 20 yards, 

(a set of silver teaspoons), 8 50 

Linen Clotli^ best 20 yards made by exhibitor, 

(a set of silver teaspoons), 8 50 

Flannel^ best 15 yards, 3 00 

Total, $149 00 

The first fair was h^ld on the 14th of October, 1817, 
in the Presbyterian Church. The services consisted of — 
1, Vocal and instrumental music; 2, Prayer; 3, Presi- 
dent's address ; 4, Music ; 5, Awards of premiums ; 
6, Music. 

After this, a procession was formed and marched to 
Col. Henry's to dinner. The clergy were " invited to 
honor the occasion, and dine with the society." 

Elisha Foote, 
J. H. Prentiss, 

Com. of Arrangements. 



• 



De Witt Clinton's Letter. 

At the first county fair, an address was delivered by 
Gen. Jacob Morris, and the premiums were proclaimed 
by Elkanah Watson, Esq., by whose request the secre- 
tary read the following letter from Grov. Clinton : 

Albany, Oct. 1, 1817. 

Sir : Considering the establishment of societies for 
the promotion of agriculture greatly conducive to the 
prosperity of our country, I shall always be happy to 
manifest my sense of their importance and value, and 
my high opinion of the public spirit and intelligence of 



178 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

their founders. And I now accept with pleasure, the 
honor of admission as a member of the Otsego County 
Agricultural society. 

I avail myself of this occasion to transmit for trial by 
such of your members as may see fit, some wheat of un- 
common excellence. It was forwarded to me by Gur- 
don S. Mumford, Esq., a respectable citizen of New 
York, and was raised at his country seat on the island 
of New York. Four acres prepared and manured in an 
ordinary way produced 100 bushels. In the fall of 1815, 
he procured from on board a vessel in the harbor about 
half a peck of it, being struck with the peculiarity of 
its appearance. The produce of this composed the seed 
wheat of four acres. The straw is represented as rather 
small and stiff; the ear, of the common size, and the 
beard of uncommon length. The grains, you will ob- 
serve, are pretty transparent, and approach nearly to 
the hardness of rice. The place of its origin can not 
be exactly ascertained ; but it is either the coast of 
Barbary or the island of Sicily. The wheat is uncom- 
monly heavy, and according to a certificate in my pos- 
session, weighs 65 pounds and four ounces a bushel. 
I am, sir, very respectfully, 

Your most ob't serv't, 
^ De Witt Clinton. 

James Cooper, Esq., cor. sec, &c. 

While Mr. Cooper was reading the letter, the bag of 
wheat was brought to the foot of the pulpit of the 
church — " the novelty had an impressive effect.^' 

To the thousands who are accustomed to meet upon 
the Fair grounds, the following article from Mr. Gr. P. 
Keese, will be read as a valuable historical document : 

The passage of the act of 1841, by which S8000 were 
divided among the several counties of the state for the 
encouragement of agriculture, gave a new impetus 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 179 

to the various societies, and revived many which had 
become nearly extinct from lack of energy among the 
members. 

Pursuant to a call, published in the county papers, a 
meeting of f^irmers and other citizens of the county of 
Otsego, was held at the public house of Wm. Lewis, in 
the village of Cooperstown, on the 14th day of August, 

1841, for the purpose of organizing a county agricul- 
tural society, in accordance with the recent act of the 
legislature. Joseph Phelon was called to the chair, and 
Samuel Russell chosen secretary. The meeting ap- 
pointed a committee to draft a constitution, which was 
subsequently submitted and approved. The society was 
thus declared duly organized, and proceeded to elect 
officers for the ensuing year, and to designate Coopers- 
town as the place for holding the first fair. The officers 
of the society at first consisted of a president, three 
vice-presidents, a secretary, a treasurer and an executive 
committee of five members, all elected annually. In 

1842, an amendment was made by which the executive 
committee consisted of nineteen members. 

The fairs were held in Cooperstown about the 1st of 
October in each year, until 1S52, when, owing to the 
adoption of a proposition for the absorption of the agri- 
cultural society of Morris and the adjoining towns into 
the county society, and an agreement to hold the fairs 
alternately in the southern portion of the county and at 
Cooperstown, the fair was accordingly held at Morris. 
This is believed to be the only occasion in the history 
of the society, when the fair was held at another place 
than Cooperstown. 

Previous to the year 1851, the receipts of the society 
were mainly from memberships at one dollar each, and 
$148 annually from the state ; a small sum from dona- 
tions and sale of badges, made the total amount not far 
from $350. During the year above named a successful 
effi)rt was made to procure a tent for the purpose of ex- 
hibiting articles of domestic manufacture and the 



180 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

products of tlie dairy, and as a small entrance fee 
was charged, the annual receipts were increased about 
$75. 

The fortunes of the society did not vary much for a 
few succeeding years ; but the want of suitable grounds 
was severely felt, the lot on which the fairs were usually 
held was altogether too circumscribed, and it soon be- 
came evident that if the society was to make any per- 
manent advancement, an enlarged area, permanent 
buildings, and in fact a thorough reorganization, were 
imperatively necessary. 

The passage of the act of 1855, by which societies 
could be more readily and efficiently organized than 
heretofore, afforded a good starting point. Accordingly 
at a meeting held at Cooperstown on the 10th of Octo- 
ber of that year, it was resolved, that a committee of 
seven, to be called the central committee of the county, 
be appointed, with authority to call a county agricultural 
convention, to consist of three delegates from each town, 
for the purpose of reorganizing the Otsego County Agri- 
cultural society ; said committee to have power to call 
meetings in the various towns, and to specify the time 
both for holding the meetings of the towns and of the 
county convention. The following were the gentlemen 
composing the committee : Francis Eotch, Frederick A. 
Lee, Richard Franchot, 0. C. Chamberlain, Alfred 
Clarke, Gr. Pomeroy Keese, Kenneth G. White. 

Pursuant to a call of the committee, the convention 
assembled in the Court House, on the 13th day of De- 
cember, when thirty-eight delegates, representing sixteen 
towns, appeared and took their seats. 

After much discussion upon the question whether the 
society organize under the recent act of the legislature, 
it was finally resolved, 

" That the convention adopt the old constitution, as 
amended in 1842, with a further amendment that the 
executive committee consist of twenty-four members. 
And it was further resolved that said committee have 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 181 

power, whenever they deem it expedient, to reorganize 
the society under the law of 1855." 

It having been decided that it was expedient to select 
a place for a permanent location, and to purchase and 
prepare grounds in time for the next annual fair, the 
executive committee were empowered to receive pro- 
posals to that effect, and to select such place as seemed 
to promise best for the future interests of the society. 
In furtherance of this object, a meeting of the officers 
of the society was held in Cooperstown on the 8th of 
January, 1856, when proposals were received from the 
towns of Hartwick, Morris, Otsego and Springfield ; 
but, as some of them were not complete and distinct as 
to their offers, and in order to afford more time for con- 
sideration, the meeting adjourned to meet in Morris on 
the 22d of the same month. At this time the offers 
were renewed, and were, in substance, to furnish from 
eight to fifteen acres, properly inclosed, provided with 
suitable buildings, and a well graded track for the ex- 
hibition of horses. x\fter an animated and prolonged 
discussion, a formal ballot. was taken, at which twenty- 
five votes were cast, which resulted in the selection of 
Cooperstown by a majority of one vote, as the place for 
permanently holding the fairs. 

The executive committee, by virtue of the authority 
vested in them, then proceeded to reorganize the society 
under the law of 1855. The first ofiicers elected under 
the new organization were : Francis M. Rotch of Mor- 
ris, president ; Alfred Clarke of Springfield, vice-pre- 
sident; Jerome B. Wood of Cooperstown, secretary; G-.- 
Pomeroy Reese, of Cooperstown, treasurer; and in place 
of the executive committee, a board of six directors, 
composed of Henry Roseboom, Jacob C. Rathbun, Ken- 
neth Gr. White, William Davison, Richard Franchot and 
Linus N. Chapin. 

Immediately after their election, the officers appointed, 
certain of their number to secure the redemption of the 
pledge by the village of Cooperstown, and prepared the 

16 



182 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

grounds for the fair. A ten years' lease of the lot 
bounded by West and Water streets and the mill roadj 
containing about eight acres, was tak-en from Mr. W. H. 
Averell, with a privilege of purchase at any time within 
five years. The payment of the annual rent was guaran- 
tied without cost to the society, and the sum of $2000 
was subscribed in the village and vicinity, to be expend- 
ed in enclosing the grounds, in the erection of the neces- 
sary buildings and pens, and in the construction of a 
track for the exhibition of horses. All this was accom- 
plished in a satisfactory and creditable manner, and 
within the sum above named. 

The first fair was held upon the new grounds in Oc- 
tober, 1856, and was in all respects a complete success; 
the number and quality of the stock and articles ex- 
hibited far exceeded any former occasion, and the 
receipts from memberships and for admission to the 
grounds reached the sum of $1200. 

Hesults so satisfactory stimulated the directors to 
renewed exertions, and they continued to improve the 
grounds by the erection of new buildings and other 
requirements, as the increased prosperity of the society 
from time to time seemed to demand. 

The greatly augmented numbers who attended the 
fair of 1861, added to the stock and articles on exhibi- 
tion, so thronged the Fair grounds that it became evi- 
dent that additional space would soon be needed to keep 
pace with the rising fortunes of the society. 

The officers, having previously completed the purchase 
of the original eight acres in accordance with the terms 
of the lease, proceeded to secure a ten years' lease of the 
adjoining lot, the property of Mr. George Clarke, which, 
when inclosed, will nearly double the size of the present 
bounds, and aiford every facility for all the requirements 
of the society for many years to come. 

The gross receipts of the society for the year 1861 
were over $2000, and they have already paid nearly the 
whole amount of the purchase money of $4000, besides 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 183 

offering an annual premium list of about $1500, These 
are certainly substantial evidences of prosi3erity. 

The society holds a winter meeting in December of 
each year, at which premiums are awarded on field 
crops, dressed meat, and fruit ; the annual election of 
officers takes place at this time. A pamphlet of about 
fifty pages is published annually, about the first of 
April, containing a list of officers and members, the 
premiums awarded at the previous fair and those offered 
for the present year, the reports of the several depart- 
ments, and other matters of interest. 

We will close this sketch with a record of the officers 
from 1841 to the present : 

Presidents. — David H. Little, 1841; Elisha Double- 
day, 1842; Joseph Bennett, 1843-45; 0. C. Cham- 
berlain, 1846 ; Wm. A. Walker, 1847 ; Williams Rath- 
bun, jr., 1848 ; Joseph W. Ball, 1849-50 ; William 
Davison, 1851; Samuel S. Bowne, 1852; Homer Cole- 
man, 1853; Alex. H. Clark, 1854; Joseph W. Ball, 
1855; Francis M. Botch, 1856-57; Alfred Clarke, 
1858-62. 

Vice-Presidents. — 0. C. Chamberlin, 1841 ; John W. 
Tunnicliff, 1842-43; 0. C. Chamberlain, 1844-5; 
Halsey Spencer, 1846 ; Williams Rathbun, jr., 1847 ; 
Joseph W. Ball, 1848; Luther Smith, 1849; Gustavus 
White, 1851; Henry J. Bowers, 1852; Alex. H. 
Clark, 1853; 0. N, Shipman, 1854; Benj. Pierce, 
1855; Alfred Clarke, 1856-57; Jonah Davis, 1858- 
59; Arthur A. Brown, 1860; George Clark, 1861; 
William I. Compton, 1862. 

Secretarys. — Charles McLean, 1841-1851 ; Chester 
Jarvis, 1852 ; Chas. J. Stillman, 1853 ; Jerome B. 
Wood, 1854-56 ; G. Pomeroy Keese, 1857 ; Chas. J. 
Stillman, 1858-61 ; Horace M. Hooker, 1862. 

Treasurers. — David L, White, 1841 ; Henry Phin- 
ney, 1842-1846; George W. Stillman, 1847; Seth 
Doubleday, 1848-1851; A. C. Moore, 1852; H. P. 
Metcalf, 1853; G. Pomeroy Keese, 1854-62. 



184 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

THE GREAT FIRE OF 1862. 

As such it will long be remembered, for it was pro- 
bably greater than all the fires combined since the vil- 
lage was founded. It is with much sorrow, and with 
strong sympathy for our numerous friends whom it has 
caused to suifer, that we make our last local record in this 
book of a calamity so appalling. It is hoped that the 
dreadful scene of the night of the 10th of April, 1862, 
will be impressed deeply upon the minds of all who 
witnessed it, and that it, as a sermon of destruction, 
may teach them how suddenly earthly treasures may fly 
away upon the wings of fire. Thus, by properly heed- 
ing the teachings of Providence, they may learn to lay 
up more abiding treasures. As we were absent from 
the village at the time of the fire, our record of it will 
consist of the following accounts taken from the Free- 
man^ s Journal, and Otsego Repuhlican : 

The Great Conflagration at Cooperstown. 

One third or more of the business portion of Coopers- 
town is in ruins ! Strangers who come in from sur- 
rounding towns to look at the desolation brought upon 
us, hardly recognize the place, it is so sadly changed in 
appearance. From Mr. Phinney's residence on the west 
side of West street, and up Main, on both sides, to near 
Chestnut street (with the exception of Cory's stone 
store), nothing is seen but the foundation walls where a 
week ago stood hotels, stores and dwellings. Burgess 
Hall, containing three stores and a shop, and three or 
four of the stores on Main street, were erected only two 
years ago. Our beautiful village has received a blow 
from which it cannot entirely recover in many years. 

About half past ten o'clock on the evening of the 
10th, the alarm of fire was sounded, and those who 
were on the ground in a very few minutes, saw the 
flames already bursting from the upper story and roof 
of Edwards's cabinet shojo, and in a few minutes more 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 185 

the entire building was a sheet of flames, whicli rapidly 
communicated to Scott's large store house on the east, 
and to L. Brown's building on the west. The heat in 
the narrow street now became intense, and when the 
flames still further extended to Short's house on the 
east, and to Robinson's grocery on the west, it required 
the almost constant exertions of one engine and a num- 
ber of men with buckets, to keep the heat from setting 
fire to the buildings opposite. By the eflbrts of another 
machine stationed near the town pump, and by tearing 
down a shed on Willoughby's premises, adjoining Rob- 
inson's, the fire was prevented from extending further 
west. Thus Willoughby's, Cockett's and the Empire 
House were saved. 

While the fire raged in the stores on the north side 
of the Eagle Hotel, one of the machines was brought to 
play upon that large wooden pile, in the vain hope of 
saving it, and confining the fire to the north side of Main 
street. It was now about 2 o'clock, and a slight wind 
sprung up from the northwest. " The Eagle is going !" 
was the cry, and in an instant the flames had it in their 
fierce embrace. An alley way of a few feet only sepa- 
rated it from Burgess Hall. Before that building 
caught, the fire swept down upon the barns and sheds in 
rear of the Eagle, Hall's, Keyes's and Mrs. Carr's, and 
all that property was destroyed. At half past four, it 
was doubtful whether the fire would stop short, in that 
direction, of Winslow's and the Empire House. No. 
3 disputed the supremacy at this point, taking her sup- 
ply from the never-failing town pum^D ; an old shed was 
■ torn down, and about 5 o'clock the victory was decided 
in favor of the weary men who all night long had bat- 
tled against the devouring element at the west end of 
the town. 

When the north end of Burgess Hall took fire, and 
the angry flames shot up thirty feet above its roof, men 
who had labored for hours to stay the progress of the 
flames, became discouraged and appalled. A slight 



186 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN- 

breeze from the west, it was seen, would lay the entire 
business portion of the town, and many dwellings, in 
ruins. Now commenced one of the hardest fights of 
that awful night. The heat opposite the Eagle and the 
Hall was intense, and it was hardly possible to stand 
there a moment without a screen of some kind to ward 
it off. Old No. 2, which has served this village for 
about half a century — was stationed as near the hydrant 
in front of Phinney's block as men could stand it to 
work ; and while one man held up an old door as a fire 
screen, two others brought the pipe to bear upon the 
Davis and Phinney buildings as often as the engine 
could be filled with water. Men were busily engaged 
in removing goods from all the stores east of the corner; 
others had manned the brakes for hours and were tired 
out, and it was left for a score or two of persons to 
maintain what at one time seemed to be an unequal fight 
at this point. More than twenty times within an hour, 
one or the other of these buildings was on fire around 
the windows or near the roof, and as often extinguished 
by old No. 2 and persons in the buildings. 

The flames passed on from the Burgess block to Mr. 
Kip's house, to Peck's hotel, to Groat's large building 
and the out-buildings attached, and finally to Mr. Wal- 
worth's handsome residence on the hill. No. 2 con- 
tinued to protect the buildings on the opposite side 
of the street, and kept the fire from spreading over that 
part of the village. Just as Mr. W.'s house caught fire 
from the rear buildings of Mr. Groat, the machine was 
taken there, and could a supply of water have been 
promptly obtained, the house might have been saved. 
Seeing their labors there unavailing, a more successful 
effort was made to save the residence of Mr. Phinney ; 
and thus the southern boundary of the fire was fixed. 

The fire had now raged for seven hours ; but so stir- 
ring had been the scenes of that dreadful night, so ac- 
tively employed had been every willing hand, so full of 
apprehension every head and heart, that the break of 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 187 

day took nearly all by surprise. The night was calm 
and beautiful ; for three hours not the slightest breeze 
wafted the flames to either point of the compass — (for 
that earnest men thanked Grod) — and at no time did it 
to any considerable degree influence the fortunes of that 
memorable night. The pale moon looked coldly down 
upon the long time unavailing efforts of man to check 
the career of the mad element — her light eclipsed by 
the flames which lit up the sky from acres of burning 
buildings. At times the scene was one of awful gran- 
deur and sublimity, which the pen cannot describe, but 
which those present will never forget. 

The firemen labored manfully, the citizens generally 
worked with a will ; scores of noble women stood in the 
lines for hours passing buckets, while others aided in 
removing furniture, &c., from buildings threatened with 
destruction — the soldiers under Lieut. Yanderslice were 
seen wherever hard work was to be done. We have 
heard a great deal of fault-finding, but taking it alto- 
gether, there was much more to praise. 

The following is a list of the number of buildings 
burned, the number of occupants, value and insurance : 

Build- No. of 
Owners. ings. occupants. Value. Insurance. 

L. J. Walworth, } 3 $2,500 

H. Groat, 3 1 2,000 $1,000 

D. Peck, 3 1 1,000 1,000 

Kipp & Grant, 2 2 2,500 

J. H. Burgess, 3 5 4,000 3,000 

Wm. Lewis, 6 1 7,000 2,000 

W. Van Booskirk, ..... 1 1 1,000 

W. C. Keyes, 6 3 3,500 

Mrs. Carr, 2 1 1,000 

Z. Willoughby, 1 150 

A. Robinson, 1 2 1,000 800 

L.Brown, 3 3 1,200 

E.& H.Cory, 2 1 1,500 

J. F. Scott & Co., 2 1 2,500 1,000 



No. of 
;cupant£ 


!. Value. 


Insurance. 


2 

1 


Sl,500 
500 




1 


1,500 




2 
2 


4,000 

2,000 


$3,500 


2 


5,000 


2,500 


5 


2,000 


1,000 




500 





188 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

Build- 
Owners, ings. 

J. J. Short, 2 

E. & H. Cory, 3 

J. Wood, 3 

Bingham & Jarvis, 3 

H. Hollister, 2 

S. Nelson, 3 

H. N. Robinson, 1 

M'Namee's estate, 3 

57 40 $48,850 $16,800 

The following is a sum of the losses, other than 
buildings : Loss, $53,175 ; Insurance, $3,300. 

Another Large Fire ! — Just as the eloom was 
beginning to lift a little from our afflicted village, an- 
other severe blow has fallen upon us, leaving aii ugly 
scar in the eastern part of the town. The Otsego 
Hotel, with its barns and sheds, the large building ad- 
joining on the east, and Mr. Bingham's house and barn 
on the north, was destroyed by fire on Monday night 
last. Eleven horses, and several wagons, harness, &c., 
were consumed in this barn. In two hours the pro- 
perty above described was in ashes, and a number of 
families turned out of doors* 

Total loss at this fire, about $10,000 ; insured for 
$4,000. 



BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCH 



OF 



JAMES FENIMORE COOPER. 



« < • » > 



HON. WILLIAM COOPER. 

As the founder of the village of Cooperstown, after 
whom it was named, as the father of the celebrated 
James Fenimore Cooper, and as a man of enterprise 
arid benevolence, he is entitled to our respectful and 
affectionate remembrance. The assistance which he 
rendered in the early settlement of this county, and his 
lenity towards the settlers who were struggling with the 
trials of pioneer life, may be inferred from the following 
address to many of them, published in the Otsego Her- 
ald^ December, 1797 : 

" Mr. Cooper presents his compliments to such of the 
inhabitants of this county who have purchased land of 
him, and are in arrears for payment, and informs them 
that he is unexpectedly called upon for a large sum of 
money, which must be paid by the twentieth day of 
January next. He hopes, therefore, as this is the first 
time in eleven years that he hath called for money in 
his own right, that those on the old patent will strive to 
assist him ; those on the Hartwick patent are greatly in 
arrear, if they can not pay, they may come and tkea 
perpetual leases ; those on the Otsego patent ought to 
pay ; those on Morris's patent are expected to appear -, 



190 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOAVN. 

those on the Hillington patent that expect any advan- 
tage from their contracts must perform, on their part, 
the covenants that have hitherto been neglected ; those 
on the Jew's patent will do well to pay in part -, those 
on the Wharton creek patent will, no doubt, bring 
something forward, as well as those on Schuyler's pa- 
tent. The smallest sums will be received by, gentlemen, 

" Your friend, 

" William Cooper/' 



u 



In 1798 he was appointed commissioner to open the 
great jDublic highway from Cooperstown to the Cayuga 
lake." Here is a part of his proclamation : 

" Such of the inhabitants as will mark out the way " 
(by blazing the trees he undoubtedly meant), " may be 
assured that every route will be actually explored by 
the subscriber, and that way opened which is best for 
the public ; and as there are but $3000 appropriated to 
cut out a four-rod road, of 90 miles in length, the set- 
tlers on the course must expect no reward for their in- 
formation, but that of having the main state road (on 
which the public post will travel) pass through their 
settlements, and the distance from Cayuga to Albany 
shortened 40 miles at lea^t. After the route is esta- 
blished, contracts will be entered into for cutting and 
erecting bridges on the same." 

In 1791, as stated in the CAro?z/c^es, he was appointed 
the first judge of the county. In 1794 he was elected, 
by a large majority, representative to congress, and 
during his term of service in the national council, we 
learn from good authority, he was an efficient member. 
In 1796 he presented to congress 5365 names of free- 
holders appended to a petition for the passing of a treaty, 
I think, with Spain. 

On his return to Cooperstown, June 26, 1796, he was 
received in Cherry Valley with enthusiasm from the 
citizens, and before reaching home he was met by an 
escort of horsemen, and was welcomed into the village 



HISTORY or COOPERSTOWN. 191 

by a file of his townsmen on each side of the street, ex- 
tending their lines to the river bridge, while sixteen 
guns were reverberating between Hannah's hill and 
Mount Vision. 

Some anecdotes told of him show that he had much 
vivacity of spirit, 

A tenant who had failed to pay his rent came to Mr. 
Cooper and excused himself on the ground of sickness, 
which hindered him from sowing and planting in sea- 
son. Said Mr. Cooper, in reply : " Well, you look 
healthy enough now, and I take you to be something 
of a wrestler." " Yes," said the man, " all of that is 
true.'' " Then," replied Mr. C, "I'll wrestle with you 
in public on the wager of your farm. If you throw me, 
at square hold, I'll give you a deed of your farm ; if I 
throw you first, you lose this offer." The challenge 
was cheerfully accepted, and the Judge notified the vil- 
lage, as far as convenient, of the contest, bringing to- 
gether a large number to see his corpulent honor exhi- 
bit the laughable spectacle of wrestling on a wager. 
The contest, on Fair street, was soon over, as the Judge, 
flat on his back, amid a shout of laughter, exclaimed : 
" The farm is yours." 

He would gladly submit to a good joke at almost any 
expense. An eccentric neighbor was going to Albany, 
and Mr. C. handed him a bill of considerable amount to 
collect there, saying to him : " You collect this and I'll 
give you half." A few days after the man returned 
and, just looking into the Judge's office, said : " I have 
collected my half of that money, and will get yours as 
soon as I can." The joke was the creditor's half. 

His great benevolence and energies were enlisted 
chiefly in assisting early settlers to furnish themselves 
with comfortable homes in the wilderness. Mr. Jared 
House, one of the oldest settlers of Lowville, Lewis 
county, N. Y., still recollects the singular appearance of 
Judge Cooper, in his two-wheeled carriage with several 
men each side of it to keep it from upsetting, as he was 



192 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

leading, by way of Lowville, a large company of pio- 
neers through the dense forests to De Kalb, in St. Law- 
rence county, where he had erected a house, said to be 
sixty feet square, for their accommodation, until they 
could build houses for themselves. 

When J. Fenimore Cooper was traveling in England, 
he was happily surprised one day as his eye fell upon a 
litttle volume of Directions for Emigrants to America, 
the author of which was his own father. 

He is remembered by some of the oldest residents of 
this village, and is spoken of as a man of great kindness 
to the poor. It is said that he visited them in person, 
and carried wine and food to those in sickness. 

The following testimony of him is taken from the 
Cooperstown Federalist of December, 1809 : 

" Died. — In the city of Albany, on the morning of 
the 22d inst., the Hon. William Cooper, aged 55 years. 
His remains were removed to his seat in this villao-e, 
and on Monday following were interred in the Episco- 
pal burying ground. 

" Though at this day eulogy, by some, is considered 
as but common fame, yet it would be withholding a 
tribute justly due not to say that the many shining 
qualities of Judge Cooper are bright examples for 
imitation. His enterprise, perhaps, without a parallel, 
contributed more to the settlement and prosperity of 
this county than that of any other person, and this vil- 
lage, which so deservedly bears and ought to perpetuate 
his name, remains a monument of his public zeal and 
benevolent designs. His friends, while they cease not 
to lament his death, will cherish with satisfaction the 
recollection of his virtues. An afflicted family have to 
mourn the loss of his paternal care and affection, while 
the poor and unfortunate look in vain for their departed 
friend and benefactor. 

" His piety, for he was thoroughly persuaded of the 
truth of revelation, was accompanied with the warmest 
benevolence to his fellow creatures. No one could more 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 193 

strongly feel tliat tlie love to God was to be united with 
love to man. Nor was this a principle that rested in 
kind wishes and pathetic feelings for the happiness of 
others ; but it was manifested in the most active exer- 
tions for their welfare. No scheme of doing good was 
ever suggested to him into which he did not enter with 
ardor. But the generosity of his mind was most dis- 
played in assisting the erection of places of divine wor- 
,ship, and in spreading the gospel among those who were 
strangers to it. In these he took the lead, and by his 
example he inspired others with the same spirit.'^ 

MRS. WILLIAM COOPER. 

Her eulogy was written by Solomon, in the words : 

" She looketh well to the ways of her household, and 
eateth not the bread of idleness." 

Her maiden name was Elizabeth Fenimore, and her 
son James, by a legislative enactment, changed his own 
name from James Cooper to J. Fenimore Cooper. 

" His mother, whom in personal aspect, as well as in 
mental and moral traits, he greatly resembled, was the 
daughter of Richard Fenimore of New Jersey, a family 
of Swedish descent, and great personal excellence and 
social distinction. She, too, like her son, possessed 
remarkable energy of character, and a cultivated and 
commanding intellect, and is remembered to have been 
fond of romance reading. Her immaculate housekeep- 
ing, personal beauty, and family consequence, made her 
to a memorable degree a sharer in the influence of her 
husband, both in the household and in the community." 
— New Am. Cyc. 

Names of Judge Cooper s CMldven^ in the order of 
birth. — Richard Fenimore; Hannah, killed in Butter- 
nuts, by being thrown from a horse ; Ann, died in in- 
fancy ; Abraham and Isaac, twins, the former died in 
infancy ; Abraham, died in infancy ; Ann, the present 
Mrs. Pomeroy ; William and Elizabeth, twins, the latter 

17 



194 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

died in infancy; Samuel; James Fenimore ; Henry 
Fry, the only one born in Cooperstowu, died in infancy. 
Twelve in all. 

Of all who lived to maturity we shall not be expected 
to speak in detail. Yet, two of them have merited all 
the notice which they here receive. 

HANNAH COOPER.* 

The eldest daughter of Judge Cooper, Miss Hannah, 
was a young lady whose suj)erior endowments alone 
would well adorn a memoir. She was greatly beloved 
by her acquaintances, and especially by the poor and the 
suffering, to whom, in times of scarcity, she was as an 
angel of mercy. Sharing largely in the benevolence of 
her father, she was accustomed to carry, on horseback, 
provisions to the needy in the vicinity. She visited 
the prisoners in the jail frequently, giving them books, 
and sometimes talked with them through the grates of 
their windows, endeavoring to imjiress upon their minds 
the truths of morality and religion. By her winning, 
tender and persuasive conversation, their hard hearts, at 
times, were deeply affected. 

The following notice of her death is taken from the 
Otsego Herald : 

Melancholy Catastrophe. 

" From stately palaces we must remove, 
The narrow lodgings of the grave to jDrove ; 
Leave the fair train, and the light, gilded room, 
To lie alone benighted in the tomb." 

It becomes our duty, with mournful regret and poig- 
nant grief, to announce the melancholy exit of Miss 
Hannah Cooper, eldest daughter of William Cooper, 
Esq., of this place, on Wednesday evening the 10th 
inst., at the town of Butternuts, in this county. 

Miss Cooper having the preceding morning set out 

* See page 50 of the Chronicles. 



HISTORY OP COOPERSTOWN. 195 

with her brother, Richard Fenimore Cooper, Esq., on 
horseback, on a visit to Gen. Morris's, of Butternuts, 
and having arrived within about two miles of their 
destination, the horse on which Miss Cooper rode took 
an affright, and threw her against the root of a tree 
with such force as to fracture her skull in so terrible a 
manner as almost instantly to deprive her of existence. 
Her remains were the next day conveyed to the Mansion 
House of Judge Cooper, and the day following her 
funeral was attended by a very large concourse of weep- 
ing citizens. A sermon was delivered on the melan- 
choly occasion by the Rev. Daniel Nash, which was very 
applicable and impressive ] but nothing could heighten 
the deep gloom which pervaded the countenances of the 
whole assembly. 

In Miss Cooper her relatives and the community 
have sustained an inestimable loss. Possessing every 
amiable quality which could endear her to society, 
every worldly blessing which could render life desira- 
ble, and every pious sentiment which could disarm 
death of its terrors, in the bloom of life, in a moment 
she was snatched away from all the fond anticipations 
of her relatives and friends, and her proposed agree- 
able visit was changed to a visit to that country " from 
whose bourne no traveler returns." 

Adieu, dear departed excellence ! Thou art gone 
from us, but so long as benevolence and charity, inno- 
cence and purity, gentleness and piety, dignity and 
modesty shall be respected, so long shall thy memory 
be cherished by all with whom thou wast conversant. 
The maidens of the village shall frequently repair to 
thy tomb — they shall recollect thy virtues, and shall 
there renew their vows to imitate " thy bright examples 
till they shine like thee." 

An affectionate remembrance of her, it is said, was 
the occasion of giving her name to Hannah's hill, 
an eminence northwest of the village, from which one 
of the finest views is obtained. 



196 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 



JAMES FENIMORE COOPER. 

He was born in Burlington, New Jersey, September 
15th, 1789. In his infancy he was brought by his 
parents into the then wild regions of Otsego, where his 
childhood was spent amid the variegated scenes of 
nature and of pioneer life, where the Indian fishing 
and hunting grounds were still visited by fragments of 
once powerful tribes — scenes so vividly impressed upon 
his mind, that in riper years he was able to reproduce 
them in his tales, now so popular in many lands. 

In his boyhood he evinced some extraordinary traits 
of character. Yet, his schoolmates knew him only as 
being " Jim Cooper," as he is still designated by some 
who were once his playfellows. He was a generous and 
resolute lad. The following is from his daughter. Miss 
Susan Cooper, and is found in the Pages and Pictures^ 
a volume whose leaves of "flexible ivory" and costly 
embellishments place it beyond the reach of many of 
our readers : 

" His childish recollections were all closely connected 
with the forests and hills, the fresh clearings, new fields 
and homes on the banks of the Otsego. It was here 
his boy's strength was first tried in those sports to 
which gray-headed men, amid the cares of later life, 
delight to look back. From the first bow and arrow, 
kite and ball, to later feats in fishing, riding, shooting, 
skating, all were connected with his highland home. 
It was on the waters of the Otsego that he first learned 
to handle an oar, to trim a sail. Healthy and active, he 
delighted in every exercise of the kind — a brave, blithe- 
hearted, impetuous, most generous and upright boy, as 
he is remembered by those who knew him in child- 
hood." 

His first teacher's name was Joshua Dewey, who 
taught him his alphabet. His next teacher was Oliver 
Cory, who taught the village school many years, and 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 197 

made liis pupils food of public exhibitions, among whom 
James Cooper, when only about eight years old, was 
somewhat conspicuous for his recitations, especially of 
the Beggar's Petition. 

We next find him at Albany, under the instruction of 
R-ev. Mr. Ellison, where he remained no great length of 
time. His opportunities for an education were good, and 
were evidently well improved, for, at the age of thirteen, 
he was admitted to Yale college. Here he remained only 
three years, and left probably with an imagination too 
active and an ambition too strong to be kept longer sub- 
servient to the arbitrary rules of scholastics. It was 
not enough for him to sit in the lecture room to trace 
out the adventures of ^neas ; nothing but an actual 
contest with the winds and the waves would satisfy his 
impetuous nature, and accordingly, in his sixteenth 
year, he went to sea, his first voyages being to England 
and to Spain. Soon after these voyages he entered the 
navy, in 1805, it is said, which shows that he must have 
had strong impulses and considerable competency to 
have sought and obtained this position before he had 
seen seventeen years. His voyages to England and 
Spain had been made before the mast, but on the naval 
vessel he was entered as a midshipman, from which he 
was afterwards promoted to a lieutenantcy. During six 
years he followed the sea, the last part of which period, 
however, he was on lake Ontario, after which he re- 
turned to the scenes of his childhood amid the hills of 
Otsego. 

As a young man he was intelligent, and yet not 
learned scholastically ; ambitious, generous and fond of 
amusement. At this age he gave an index of his cha- 
racter and physical enersfies by the following incident : 

While in company with some of his young compa- 
nions, as athletic exercises were then common, a foot 
race was proposed. The course was to be around the 
square, that is, from what is now Davis's corner south to 
Third street, throuo-h this to Water street, down this to 



198 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

Second street, and then to the place of starting, a dis- 
tance of about 100 rods. James Cooper was mentioned 
as one of the competitors, and his antagonist was select- 
ed. Girls and boys, men and women, were to be spec- 
tators, according to the custom. James, like a young- 
horse glorying in his strength, looked at the wager — a 
basket of fruit — then at his competitor, and accej)ted 
the challenge, but not on even terms. It was not 
enough for the young sailor simply to outrun the lands- 
man, he would do more. A little girl stood by, with a 
countenance bright with animation in prospect of the 
race. He caught her up in his arms, and with the 
pride and muscle of a Grecian athlete, exclaimed : " I'll 
carry her with me and beat you !" They started, and 
away they flew, the little girl upon his shoulders ; one 
corner was turned, and the amused and excited villagers 
saw with surprise young Cooper with his burden keep- 
ing pace with the other flying youth ; another, and soon 
another corner were passed, and both, one in fear of dis- 
graceful defeat, and the other with the unflinching re- 
solve to obtain a more than ordinary victory, sprang 
forward like race horses near the end of the course. 
But Cooper, with the little black-eyed girl upon his 
shoulders, and with sweat from his manly brow pouring 
down his cheeks, was first to reach the goal and to be 
proclaimed the victor, with such cheers and hurrahs as 
are heard only where the freedom of utterance among 
pioneers is enjoyed. The basket of fruit was his, which 
he distributed among the spectators, and that little girl, 
afterwards the wife of Capt. William Wilson, now lives 
in the village to tell the story of her ride upon James 
Cooper's shoulders. She recollects him as a " pleasant, 
familiar, young man." 

Not long after this he was married and was brought into 
the arena of letters where, notwithstanding his missteps, 
he has fairly won a chaplet that will not soon fade away. 

In his twenty-second year, Jan. 1, 1811. he married 
Miss Susan Delaucey, sister ©f the well-known Bishop 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 199 

Delancey. Slie is affectionately remembered by the 
citizens of Cooperstown, as a lady of high accomplish- 
ments and of religious devotion, and ever should she be 
esteemed by the literary world for having gently be- 
dewed with her approval the first bud of Cooper's 
genius, as he read to her his first chapter of his first 
book, a bud which she might have withered with a look, 
yea, with a word might have blasted the tree. His first 
novel. Precaution, attracted considerable attention both 
in this country and in England. The following notice 
of it, in 1821, was found in an English paper, showing 
that a new genius had arisen to take its place in the 
galaxy of letters, and that the first rays of its light fore- 
told its future brightness. " Precaution. — Whoever 
may be the writer, we have to congratulate the public 
on the accession of a new novelist possessing a peculiar 
felicity of talent for this species of composition." 

Immediately after his marriage he lived some time in 
Westchester caimty, after which he became a resident 
of Cooperstown, where he remained several years. 
During this period, though devoted principally to lite- 
rature, he paid considerable attention to agriculture and 
social interests in general. He was the first secretary 
of the first agricultural society formed in Otsego county, 
and as such, at the age of twenty-eight, his correspond- 
ence with eminent men, one of whom was De Witt 
Clinton, showed the interest he felt in the society, to 
be that of a citizen in full sympathy with a rural com- 
munity whose welfare he was ardently seeking. This 
is seen by the following address : 

To the Freeholders of the County of Otsego : 

During the last sitting of the court of common pleas, 
an association was formed with a view to advance the 
agricultural interests of this section of the state, by the 
title of The Otsego County Agricultural Society. At 
the time of its formation, the business of the court had 
assembled in Cooperstown a large number of respectable 



200 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

freeliolders from all the adjacent towns. Most of them 
were favorably inclined to the organization of this so- 
ciety, and many of them have become its members. 
But a more general contribution to its funds, and co- 
operation with the measures of its patrons, are necessary 
to give vigor to the institution. 

It has become my official duty to invite your attention 
to its usefulness, and solicit your patronage for its sup- 
port. The result of similar societies in our own country 
affords undeniable evidence of their usefulness. The 
Pennsylvania Agricultural society has wrought a sur- 
prisingly advantageous change in the mode of farming 
in the elder counties of that state, and opened the most en- 
viable of all mines to the possession of its inhabitants — 
a certain and ample return for the labor of the husband- 
man. Hundreds of farmers in that, as well as in other 
states, are in the successful practice of modes of hus- 
bandry, in the use of labor saving instruments, or in 
the possession of improved breeds of cattle, who are 
ignorant from what source it is that, under God, they 
derive those blessings. Even we, in the possession 
of English grasses, and the varieties of apples, plums, 
&c., and in the use of plaster, are reaping the fruit of 
seed sown by different societies of this nature. 

Unity of action can alone give vigor or extension to 
experiments in husbandry ; and singleness of direction 
can not fail to increase their effects. Thus, many things 
which may strike you as foreign to our particular inte- 
rests and at variance with most favorite customs, but 
which excited the attention of distant institutions, must 
be excluded from our own. Acquainted with the pecu- 
liarities of our own soils, climate, situation, our wants 
and our resources, the Otsego Agricultural society 
will act directly on the interests of ourselves. The 
county of Otsego has passed its infancy, and is rapidly 
maturing into manhood. It is hoped that this institu- 
tion will influence its character. Most of you Lave been 
able to witness the good prodnced by the neat, judicious 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 201 

and economical fcirmer in a neighborliood ; what may 
we not expect from a combination of such men ? 

The presenting to the observation of the public the 
result of successful experiments will enable the poor 
man to profit by the wealth of others, without hazarding 
his contracted means. In short, it has become a truism, 
that while there is nothing of a temporal nature so im- 
portant as husbandry, there is no science of which men 
are in general so ignorant. 

It is, that this society may receive a support that will 
enable the board of officers to give a practical demon- 
stration of its usefulness, that I now address you. Any 
person, paying one dollar, and agreeing to pay one dol- 
lar annually, can become a member ; without beconiing 
a member no one can be a candidate for a premium. 
The constitution is published, and to that I beg leave to 
refer you for the manner in which it is proposed to 
conduct this association. I have addressed circulars 
throughout the county, with a request that the gentle- 
men to whom they are directed will use their influence 
with their neighbors in the furtherance of this object. 
But fearful that many, in every way entitled to the re- 
spect of a particular notice may, in the hurry of busi- 
ness, be omitted, I now address this general invitation 
to the freeholders of the county of Otsego, that they 
will give the subject their consideration, the proposed 
measure a trial, and, it is hoped, the society eventually, 
their cordial support. James Cooper, 

Fenimore, March 13, 1817. Cor. Secretary. 

After a short residence in Cooperstown, Mr. Cooper 
removed to New York, where he became intimate with 
the principal literary characters of our country at that 
time. After having enjoyed the advantages of their 
society a few years, especially in his Bread and Cheese 
club, he, in 1826, with his family sailed for Europe, 
where he traveled quite extensively and resided during 
a period of about seven years. At the time of his sub- 



202 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

sequent visit to CooperstowD, not long after liis return 
from Europe, Col. Prentiss published in his paper the 
following" notice : 

" Our distinguished fellow citizen, James Fenimore 
Cooper, is now on a visit to this his native village, after 
an absence of about sixteen years, much of which time 
he spent in England and France, and while abroad, by 
the efforts of his productive pen added greatly to the 
literary reputation of his country, and aided in giving 
character to her political institutions." 

The period here specified must include his residence 
in New York, which would make the time of his re- 
moval to that city to be the year 1817 or 1818, pro- 
bably the latter, for in September, 1817, he was present 
at the first Otsego county fair. To the three years 
spent at Yale add the six years he was at sea, the time 
of his residence in New York and his absence in Europe, 
and it will be seen that the portion of his life at Coop- 
erstown previous to 1834, was less than that during 
which he was away, making it impossible for him to be 
intimate with all the villagers, many of whom were new 
comers and to him strangers. Soon after his return 
from abroad he became a permanent citizen of the vil- 
lage, to which his name will ever be a distinguished 
ornament. 

As a citizen Mr, Cooper, like all others, had his de- 
fects, but these were so far outnumbered and overba- 
lanced by his virtues, that none but habitual detractors 
speak of him otherwise than with praise, as his charac- 
ter in the aggregate is considered. The amount of labor 
which he performed left him but little time for socia- 
bility. When he jvalked the streets his mind, abstract- 
ed from present scenes and passers-by, was doubtless 
threading the forest, wandering over the prairie, or en- 
gaged in a sea fight. This, with the fact of his spend- 
ing so much time in his study, accounts for the seeming 
distance there was between him and many of his fellow 
citizens. 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 208 

' The following recollections of him are furnished by 
Mr. S. B. Chamjjion, editor of the Bloomville Mirror^ 
who was formerly connected with the office of the Free- 
mcnts Journal : 

" Mr. C. usually took a morning walk, then devoted 
himself to his works until late in the afternoon, after 
which you would see him out again. He walked erect, 
usually carrying a cane ; seldom conversed with persons 
in the street. At times he would visit the Journal 
office, nearly every morning, on his way to the post 
office. He seldom sat down, but paced the room back 
and forth, engaged in such conversation with Col. Pren- 
tiss as the news of the day suggested. He watched the 
Mackenzie trial with interest, and in fact every event of 
importance of a na^io?2a? character, such as developed the 
power of self government and decisions that were to be 
precedents in history, especially those relating to foreign 
nations. The Journal of Commerce and the Evening 
Post were the principal papers on his table. 

" In his suits ao-aiost several editors, he seemed to 
entertain the opinion that it was his duty to defend him- 
self 2i^ an author and citizen, not for the purpose of ob- 
taining the awards as a pecuniary profit. He liked fair 
criticism. 

" To show his power of composition, on one occasion 
he told Col. Prentiss to set the type and he would give 
him the article. This was done without a word being; 
written. Occasionally he wrote articles for the Journal. 
If he happened to come in when Col. P. was absent, he 
would enquire for some particular paper, and converse a 
few minutes with the compositors. No one in his com- 
pany could feel otherwise than as being in the presence 
of a man endowed with more than ordinary ability and 
power of mind. 

"As a citizen he was kind to the poor, liberal in 
every way to advance the good of society and the wel- 
fare of the inhabitants of the village. He did not play 
the egotist. He sought not the applause of the people 



204 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

He relied on the lasting effects of his labors upon the 
public mind both at home and abroad, for the establish- 
ment of his fame as an author. He visited his publish- 
ers (Lea & Blanchard, Philadelphia), often, generally 
o-oino" by stage to the rail road. He kept no fast horses 
and fine carriages. He had a horse, and sometimes rode 
him along up the side of the lake, but seldom rode in a 
carriao-e. When not in his study he was frequently 
enjoying a walk about his own premises, examining his 
shrubbery, plants and flowers, of which there was an 
abundance." 

Another has characterized him thus : " Impulsive by 
nature and positive by habit, he expressed his opinions 
decidedly, and, not unfrequently, required acquiescence 
therein imperatively." 

His grounds were beautifully adorned with fruit 
trees, shrubbery and flowers, over all of which he kept 
a watchful and observing eye. It was very annoying 
to him to have his enclosure crossed by promiscuous 
individuals as though it were as public as a pasture. 

At one time two women came through his gate, made 
an errand to the domestic apartment of the Hall, and as 
they went away leisurely strolling along the walks, one 
of them, not making a sufficient distinction between a 
forest and a gentleman's pleasure garden, picked a rose 
without permission. The next she knew, Mr. Cooper 
appeared, with stentorian voice and cane flourishing. 
Her fright was not so great as to hinder her from re- 
membering that she took " an awful lecture," and that he 
said to her : '• It is just as bad to take my flowers as to 
steal my money." 

On another occasion, as he was walking with some 
ladies in his grounds they came to a tree laden with 
fine apples, and wishing to reach them, called to 
him a little boy then in the street, introducing him to 
the ladies as one of the best bo3"s of the village — one 
who never molested his fruit. Mr. Cooper raised the 
little fellow up to the limbs from which he picked ap- 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 205 

pies enougli for the company, after which he was told 
to fill his own pockets, and as a reward of his honesty 
was promised more apples when he should come again. 
The boy, delighted with his treatment, waited patiently 
a few days and then repeated his visit to the tree, 
forgetting to ask permission. Mr. Cooper, at consider- 
able distance, unable probably to distinguish the boy 
from others that had been frequent intruders, with 
his loud and threatening voice, accompanied by the 
savage barking of the watch dog, frightened the well 
meaning little fellow terribly, and incurred not a few 
censures which may have been unmerited. But how 
many have greater faults than he, without having half 
his virtues ! 

The elements of his nature brought out in kindness 
to this little boy, one day, by goodness in the child, and 
in severity by an apparent wrong, a few days after, are 
delineated incidentally in the following lines from the 
pen of his daughter : 

" Enjoyment of the humorous, a relish of the comical 
and ludicrous, were very strongly marked in Mr. Cooper's 
familiar life. At the table, by the fireside, his conver- 
sation was full of cheerful vivacity, of fun and pleas- 
antry. He talked invariably with great freedom and 
fullness — often with an earnestness, a power and an 
eloquence which riveted the attention of those about 
him. While touching upon some subject of a grave 
nature — especially when moral feeling was fully 
aroused — language and manner, and countenance, would 
appear severe and stern in the extreme. An hour later, 
perhaps, the same fine countenance would become beam- 
ing with kindness, or glowing with merriment. He 
delighted in a humorous anecdote, in a witty remark. 
When, in the course of reading, anything of this na- 
ture came in his way, he was never satisfied unless it 
was shared with others ', very frequently the laughable 
passage was carried immediately into the family circle, 
and read by him with infinite zest, and with a singularly 

38 



206 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

hearty laugh — tears of merriment, meanwhile, rolling 
down' his cheeks." — Pages and Pictures. 

These statements are illustrated by anecdotes still 
related of him by his acquaintances. The one follow- 
ing is told by an eye witness : 

While Mr. Cooper was superintending the repairs on 
the Episcopal church, as the wood of the pews was 
oak, he wished to see the effect of oil on his favorite 
grain. He turned to his man David, who was usually 
employed about the Hall and said — " David, go to Bo- 
den's and tell him to come up here and bring with him 
a quart of boiled oil." David hesitated, looked con- 
fused, and very respectfully said: "What did you 
say ?" Mr. Cooper replied, placing his right forefinger 
in the palm of his left hand at the full, distinct and 
deliberate utterance of each word, repeating his order 
for the holled oil, the latter words being sounded out 
with all the dipthongal riches which his sonorous voice 
could impart. But David was yet doubtful, and said : 
" Mr. Cooper, do you not mean hiled He T^ After a 
hearty laugh peculiar to himself he said to his man — 
" yes, David call it hiled He if it suits you any better." 
Often did he react this scene for others and enter into 
it with a zest that resulted in tears of laughter. 

Notwithstanding his passions were naturally impetu- 
ous, they were habitually under the control of an iron 
will and a generous sensibility. At one time, on re- 
turning from New York, not finding the book cases 
finished in his library, while his carpenter was there at 
work, he began to write where the harsh and painful 
sounds of the saw and hammer were continuous. His 
pen stopped several times, and his brow became cloudy. 
Soon he arose, put the sheet in the fire, and said plea- 
santly to the workman — " it is a pretty place to write a 
novel in a carpenter's shop, and if you don't look sharp 
I shall have you in one" He then seated himself at his 
table and wrote without the least appearance of dis- 
turbance amid the noise. 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 207 

At another time, while at the Court House in the 
midst of one of his vexatious law suits, he was called 
out from court to see some work which had just been 
done on the Hall by his carpenters. They had done it 
quite contrary to his direction, but, with a brain heated 
by a legal contest with detractors, and with this blunder 
of his workmen before his eyes, not an unpleasant word 
w.as uttered, not a scowl was seen on his face, a fact 
Cjuite surprising to his workmen, to whom he simply 
made known his wishes in the matter. 

The following statements concerning him from Mr. 
Thomas Clarke who came to Cooperstown in October, 
1833, and worked as carpenter with Cyrenus Clarke 
and his son Harvey F. Clarke, will be read with inter- 
est and with the fullest confidence by all who are ac- 
c^uainted with their author : 

" I commenced work for J. Fenimore Cooper, Oct. 
8th, 1834, working on his dwelling house. Our first 
work was shingling. Mr. Cooper came up through the 
scuttle and said — ' Well, Harvey, I see you have a new 
hand this morning.' ' Yes,' was the reply, ' he is one of 
our men who has been at work on another job.' Then 
Mr. Cooper turned and said to me, — 'What is your name?' 
Who were your parents, and where do they reside ? 
What was your mother's maiden name?' After listen- 
ing to my replies, he said he did not recollect of ever 
having known them. Mr. Cooper and family occupied 
the house while we were making repairs the next sum- 
mer. The next winter H. F. Clarke and myself made 
oak doors for the first story. In the spring of 1838 
we worked as partners, and continued to do a great deal 
every year for Mr. Cooper on his house and at his farm. 
We also reseated the Episcopal church in 1839 with 
oak, under his supervision. In 1849 our partnership 
was dissolved and L. M. BoUes entered business with 
me, and we continued together until 1860. We worked 
for Mr. Cooper until his death, and I am happy to say 



208 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

that from the first to the last of my labor for him I 
never received an unkind word or look. 

" He visited us daily while working on his house, at 
his farm, and on the church, and frequently at our 
shops, and much of our work was of his own design- 
ing and new to us. We often had to call upon him 
for explanations, and many times made considerable 
alterations at a loss of time and material, but he never 
found any fault. 

" I have had many good patrons, but consider Mr. 
Cooper second to none. He was always very cheerful 
and talkative when with us, ever ready for a lively 
story and hearty laugh. Sometimes he would deliver us 
a historical or moral lecture and at its conclusion laugh- 
ingly say — ' I have preached you a sermon, now pay 
me !' I consider him the best talker I ever heard. 

" He seldom sat down long when with us, but walked 
back and forth energetically, and talked with great 
earnestness, and would often refresh himself with a 
drink from our pitcher of water. He usually walked 
with a very common stick, seldom with a polished one. 
H. r. Clarke was a warm Whig ; he and Mr. Cooper 
often exchanged sharp political jokes. 

" Mr. Cooper was very active. When the masons were 
repairing his house, he would ascend their steep and 
narrow walk to the topmost scaffold on the gable end, 
and as late as 1839, when he was very fleshy, he walked 
the ridge of his house when a chimney was on fire. 
And still later in life I have known him with his stick 
to start from his house and very shortly come back and 
say : ' Well, I have been up to the Vision, now I must 
go to work,' meaning with his pen. 

" We never had to call on him the second time for 
the payment of a bill; he brought us his check. *^Vhen 
I knocked at his library door, it was surprising how 
quickly I heard the energetic — come in ! He would 
rise from his writing, walk the room, enquire what im- 
provements were going on in the village, &c. When I 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 209 

met him in the street, in winter, he often said : ' Well, 
Thomas, what are jou driving at ?' And if work was 
dull he would try to think of something to set me 
about. 

" He lectured occasionally to the villagers, gratui- 
tously. His descriptions of naval actions were very 
animating. He represented the fleets on a blackboard, 
erased and changed their positions, removing one ship 
after another as the contest progressed, at the same 
time stating the facts in history, using his cane for a 
pointer. 

" At his funeral, I think all had left the room but 
those about to close the cofiin and myself. I was 
standing some distance back, looking at the corpse, 
and suppose I was the last person who saw his face, 
and I felt that I had lost one of my very best friends.'* 

The following incidents of Mr. Cooper's every-day 
life, are furnished by Mr. Gr. P. Keese, a prominent 
citizen of Cooperstown, and a relative of Mr. Cooper : 

Daily Life and Habits of Mr. Cooper during 

HIS LAST residence IN CoOPERSTOWN. 

He was habitually industrious, not alone as author, 
but in all the business of life. He rose early, and a 
considerable portion of his writing was accomplished 
before breakfast, which did not usually take place until 
about nine o'clock. In the summer, hardly a day 
passed that he did not visit his farm, known as the 
Chalet, situated about a mile from the village on the 
eastern shore of the lake, and from its heights com- 
manding an extensive view of the village, and val- 
ley of the Susquehanna at the south, and bounded at 
the north by the hills which girt that extremity of 
the lake. It was this view, one of the most beautiful 
in the vicinity, that was the occasion of the purchase 
of the farm by Mr. Cooper. Its attractions to the agri- 
culturist are not commensurate with the beauty of the 
situation, indeed, a more forbidding spot could not 



210 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

well be chosen, as far as a mere return for the labors of 
the husbandman is considered. The whole farm, of 
about two hundred acres, is in fact a mountain abruptly 
risino- from the shore of the lake to the height of about 
four hundred feet, and with the exception of two or 
three level terraces of a few acres each, is an unbroken 
hillside, dotted with stumps in the clearings, but a large 
part still covered with the primitive forest. 

It was on this farm that Cooper sought relaxation 
from his mental labors ; and he might be seen almost 
any summer's day, not far from eleven o'clock, issuing 
from the gate of his mansion driving a tall sorrel horse 
not remarkable for his personal attractions, who rejoiced 
in the name of Pumpkin, bestowed upon him by a mem- 
ber of the family, from no fancied resemblance between 
the animal and the vegetable, but because his first 
labor after coming into their possession was drawing a 
load of pumpkins for the use of his companion in the 
stable, Seraphina, the cow, whose euphonious name 
was received from the same source. His distino;uish- 
mg characteristics seemed to be a very light wisp 
of a tail, and a singularity in gait, which consisted in 
occasionally going on three legs, and at times elevating 
both hind ones in a manner rather amusins; than alarm- 
ing; and when is added to this a propensity, which 
sometimes developed itself, towards a retrograde move- 
ment when he should have advanced, and a dyspeptic 
trot, of more benefit to those afflicted with that com- 
plaint than of pleasure to the rider, we believe we have 
noted his more prominent peculiarities. His name we 
would fain rescue from oblivion, although occupying a 
more humble place in historic records than Bucephalus 
or Old Whitey. 

Mrs. Cooper frequently accompanied her husband on 
his excursions, and when the state of her health would 
not admit of exposure, he would take up some friend 
whom he hailed on the street, and make him the com- 
panion of his trip. He was generally aj:)sent about 



HISTORY OP COOPERSTOWN. 



211 



three hours, or until near his dinner hour; during 
which time he superintended the various operations of 
the farm, which usually consisted in drawing stumps, 
of which there was no lack, or in the somewhat arduous 
undertaking of building a winding road to the top of 
the hill, the foundation of which was logs and stumps 
and the superstructure coarse dirt and stones from the 
hillside, involying an occasional cutting in the edge of 
the solid rock ; the construction of many rods of stone 
wall, and the digging of frequent ditches for the drain- 
age of the few "acres of level laud, made up the sum 
total of the most important operations of the farm ; the 
cultivation of the crops occupying a secondary position. 
The live stock of the farm consisted of four or five 
cows, at the most two yoke of oxen, and a few pigs and 
fowls. From this it will naturally be inferred that the 
cash receipts could not be very large, indeed, Cooper 
was heard to announce with considerable satisfaction, 
after the farm had been in his possession some ten years, 
that he believed for this year the farm tuould actually 
pay its exjyenses. Although the pecuniary results were 
not large, yet the benefits to him personally were in- 
calculable ', and with no small degree of satisfaction 
would he claim that his butter and pork were the 
sweetest, and his eggs the whitest and freshest of any 
in the county ', while his wood which was heaped upon 
the hearth with unsparing hand, sent its cheerful blaze 
up the capacious mouth of his ample chimneys. 

The vegetable garden claimed a considerable share 
of his attention ; and it was his pride and delight to 
have each vegetable as early in its season as possible, 
and he might frequently be heard to call to a neighbor 
in the street, announcing that he had picked his first 
mess of peas, or had green corn fit for the pot. Turnips 
and new potatoes he always boasted of having especially 
early, although a minute enquiry from some rival gar- 
dener would force him to admit that they were of lili- 



212 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

putiaii proportions, and had made their first appearance 
on the table in the form of soup. 

As his grounds were extensive, he cultivated every- 
thing on a liberal scale, and there is hardly any one 
among the circle of his acquaintances who can not re- 
member on more than one occasion, having received a 
bountiful supply. jMusk-melons particularly were 
raised in great abundance, being his favorite fruit, and 
the writer recalls with sadness, the pleasure they seem- 
ed to afford him during his last illness. 

The varied duties of the day being accomplished, 
the gathering shades of twilight frequently found 
Cooper promenading the large hall ; his hands crossed 
behind his back, his brow carrying the impression of 
deep thought, his head also doing duty, as far as pos- 
sible in the way of gesticulation, by frequent and deci- 
sive nods of approval or otherwise of his thoughts, to 
which he often gave utterance in audible sounds—^ 
no doubt to be committed to paj^er the following morn- 
ing, as he rarely wrote much in the evening. These 
perambulations were often continued after tea; although 
usually in the evening he was to be found in the midst 
of his family, either reading the papers, or indulging in 
his favorite game of chess with Mrs. Cooper. 

The library, the room in which Cooper invariably 
wrote, was a well proportioned apartment of about 
twenty by twenty-four feet and twelve in height, situated 
in the most retired part of the house and having a 
southern and western exposure. Its deep recessed 
windows, dark oak wainscoating and the thick shade of 
the numerous trees in the vicinity, shutting out the 
glare of the sun's rays, combined to give it an appear- 
ance of quiet and repose so eminently befitting a room 
of its character; while the sides were well lined with 
books of a miscellaneous description — which was in a 
measure owing to an agreement at one time in force 
with his publisher, by which he received a copy of 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 213 

every book issued by the firm. There were, however, 
many works of much interest and value, although it is 
believed a complete set of his own works was not 
among the number. 

A number of curiosities were to be found in differ- 
ent parts of the room, the gifts of various friends ; 
among which we may mention a huge pair of antlers at- 
tached to the top of one of the book cases, holding in their 
embrace a calabash from the south seas ; a small black 
box made of the wood of the Endeavor, the vessel in 
which Captain Cook made his first voyage. This box 
was presented to Mr. Cooper by the town of Newport, 
R. I., the opening scene in the Red Rover, and had on 
its cover a silver plate, on which was engraved a repre- 
sentation of the Royal Caroline ; it was highly prized 
by him. A large folding screen occupied one corner of 
the room, upon which were pasted a collection of engra- 
vings representing scenes known to the family during 
their tour and residence in Europe ; and also containing 
a number of notes and autographs from persons of dis- 
tinction, mostly French. A similar screen was in the 
hall. 

The author's writing table which stood in the library, 
was a plain one of black walnut, esteemed as a family 
heir loom, its origin dating back beyond recollection. 
It was brought from Burlington with the settlement of 
Cooperstown in the last century, and was known as 
Rankocus, from the creek which formed a boundary of 
the farm in New Jersey. It is fondly remembered by 
those who knew the Hall in Judge Cooper's day, as the 
conservator of the cake basket, that excellent house- 
keeper, Mrs. Cooper, having kept the legs so highly 
polished that no mouse was ever known to ascend 
them. 

To the above the following from Pages and Pictures, 
may be added : 

" x\lmost every morning, writing hours over, he drove 



214 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

to the Chalet, looking after the stock and the dairy, the 
pigs and the poultry. It was a frequent remark of the 
workmen that the animals all soon learned to know 
and to follow him, from his invariable kindness to 
dumb creatures. Farming, in all its forms, had given 
liim pleasure through life ; but he chiefly delighted in 
taking a fresh piece of land, and, commencing with the 
very first stages of cultivation, bringing it into shape 
and fruitfulness." 

Mr. Cooper's mind grasped not merely the manners 
and interests of his own home and village. He had a 
common sympathy for all mankind, and while indi- 
viduals may have thought him wanting in sensibility to 
them personally at times, they had no more just reasons 
for this conclusion than they would have for a censure 
upon the secretary of state for excluding individuals 
from his presence that he may attend to the affairs of 
nations. His absence from Cooperstown, more than 
twenty-five years of his life, in all, the great amount 
of his writings, his recreations at the farm, and his at- 
tention to persons of distinction, necessarily made him 
seem like a stranger to many of his fellow citizens. 
Whenever an opportunity occurred, however, to identi- 
fy himself with their interests as a whole, or to engage 
with them in any public enterprise, he embraced it 
heartily. He took a very active part in sending relief 
to the starving in Ireland, in 1847, as may be seen by 
the following appeal, of which he was the author, pre- 
sented at a public meeting held in the Court House at 
Cooperstown, in March, 1847: 

Address of the Central Committee. 

Fellow citizens : At the meeting held for the relief 
of Ireland, on the 4th instant, we were appointed a 
central committee, with powers to superintend the re- 
ceipt and distribution of your donations. It was also 
made our duty to lay before j^ou a plan of operations. 

We respectfully submit to your consideration the 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 215 

resolutions of the meeting, and in furtherance of their 
views, we also submit the following plan : 

Plan of Proceedings recommended hy the Central 

Committee : 

That town committees be immediately formed in 
every town in the county. 

That the school districts be taken for subdivisions of 
the towns, and that each has its own subcommittee. 

That as much of the money contributed in each town 
as can be so disposed of to advantage, be used in the 
town itself, in the purchase of such articles of food as 
will bear transportation by sea, reserving only enough 
to pay for the necessary inland transportation, expenses 
of barrels, packages, &c. ; and that all surplus funds be 
transmitted to Henry Scott, Esq., Cooperstown, the 
central committee's treasurer. 

That the community be earnestly entreated to con- 
tribute in corn, beans, peas, smoked and salted meats 
of all kinds, and in every sort of grain that will be use- 
ful in the circumstances, as well as in old cloths, the 
smallest contributions being acceptable. 

That those towns favorably situated for such pur- 
poses, forward their collections to the valley of the 
Mohawk, acquainting our secretary of the place and 
the nature of the articles thus sent; and that those towns 
which are south of us, forward their contributions to 
the village of Cooperstown. Clark & Nukerck will 
receive an account of the committee at Fort Plain. 

That citizens visiting the county town on business, 
bring their own and their neighbors' contributions with 
them. We hope that at the court of next month many 
will avail themselves of the opportunity to comply with 
this request. 

That the subscription papers, which we shall trans- 
mit to the towns, be placed in the hands of efficient 
men, and circulated with energy and zeal in your re- 
spective neighborhoods, and that they be returned to 



216 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

our secretary, Greo. A. Starkweather, Esq., when done 
with. Under this head we earnestly entreat of the 
young men to take their sleighs and other vehicles, 
and pass from house to house, in their own neighbor- 
hoods, soliciting relief for the famishing. If the youth- 
ful female should also go on this errand of mercy, 
while the snow lasts, it might encourage their brothers 
and friends, and aiford them more pleasure in the re- 
flection, than any other excursion of a like nature ever 
enjoyed. 

That all the packages made up in the towns be 
plainly marked " Relief for Ireland, Otsego county, 
New York, town of ." 

That all the correspondence of the town committees, 
&c., be addressed to our secretary, Mr. Starkweather, 
to whom application can be made for any necessary 
information. 

Fellow citizens : In urging you again to aid us in 
eff'ecting this great and humane object, we believe very 
little argument will be necessary. As some persons, 
however, appear to think the accounts of suffering ex- 
aggerated, and that there is not a pressing necessity 
for our interference, we will answer that objection. 

The English government, necessarily in possession 
of all the facts, is now, and has been for many months, 
bestowing tens of thousands weekly for the support of 
the perishing poor of Ireland. This certainly would 
not be done without sufficient evidence of its necessity. 
It is in proof that hundreds perish every week, in spite 
of this assistance. But money can not relieve famine. 
Food is wanting, and that we possess in abundance. It 
is beyond cavil that the last potato crop was nearly a 
total failure in Ireland. Acquainted as we are with 
the habits of the people of that country, we know that 
intense want must follow. 

We do not appeal to your pride and your feelings of 
competition with those around you. What we ask is 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 217 

solicited in the name of charity, and in obedience to 
the commands of God. A case has arisen when all who 
can, are bound to bestow of their superfluities, and we 
doubt not your readiness to do so, as soon as its neces- 
sities are presented to your minds. We refer you to 
the numerous well authenticated instances of sufFerino; 
that are reported in the journals, as proofs of the 
horrid want that afflicts portions of Europe, and we 
feel that no stronger appeals can be made to your 
sympathies. Dated March 8, 1847. 

J. Fenimore CoopeRj 
Henry Phinney, 
Henry Scott, 
Gr. A. Starkweather, 
Seth Doubleday, 
GtEO. W. Stillman, 
Lawrence McNamee, 

Central Committee. 

The following portraiture of him as a public writer, 
drawn by Hillard, in the Atlantic Monthly^ is true of 
him, to a considerable extent, as a citizen : " Cooper's 
character as a man is the more admirable to us, be- 
cause it was marked by strong points which are not 
common in our country, and which the institutions of 
our country do not foster. He had the courage to defy 
the majority; he had the courage to confront the press; 
and not from the sting of ill success, not from mortified 
vanity, not from wounded self-love, but from an heroic 
sense of duty. How easy a life might he have pur- 
chased by the cheap virtues of silence, submission and 
acquiescence ! Booksellers would have enriched him ; 
society would have caressed him; political distinction 
would have crowned him : he had only to watch the 
course of public sentiment, and so dispose himself that 
he should seem to lead where he only followed, and all 
comfortable things would have been poured into his 
lap. But he preferred to breast the stream, to speak 

19 



218 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 



ungrateful truths. He set a wholesome example in this 
respect; none the less valuable because so few have 
had the manlinesss and self-reliance to imitate him." 

Such testimony as this ought to do much to relieve 
his former fellow citizens from the painful anxiety they 
once felt as he entered the arena, not as a racer, but as 
a combatant with a multitude who pounced upon him 
with apparently fearful odds, leaving him for a time 
blackened with libels and overclouded with the dust of 
unpopular feeling. Hear what the New American Cy- 
clojisedLa fi-Hi^?, of him, while in that struggle, alluding 
to the twenty distinct suits for libel which he brought 
against his calumniators : " For these prosecutions 
Cooper has been much censured ; but an impartial sur- 
vey of the whole painful episode will go far toward, we 
do not merely say relieving his course from the odium 
of vindictive passions, but towards investing the whole 
procedure with something of the dignity and merit of 
public service. The law of libel, at the commencement 
of these suits, was undefined and well nigh nugatory. 
Practically, there was but little defence of private cha- 
racter against the most wanton assaults of the press. 
If the restraints of the law of libel were justifiable at 
all, there was now ample occasion for giving it a new 
definition and emphasis ; and from all that transpired 
of Cooper, whether in public conductor private speech, 
nothing is more clear than that the correction of this 
great evil was the leading motive for plunging into the 
sea of troubles which awaited him. When it is con- 
sidered that the press of the country was mostly arrayed 
against him, and that he fought in the open face of 
unfriendly juries, reluctant judges, and a strong popu- 
lar prejudice, this simple fact goes far towards furnish- 
ing a vindication of his course. That he also wrought 
a reform in the habits and manners of the press, as well 
as revived the practical efficiency of a much neglected 
safeguard, is not now seriously questioned." 

" Personally, Mr. Cooper-was a noble specimen of a 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 219 

man, possessing a massive and compact form, a coun- 
tenance strikingly marked with the indications of intel- 
lectual strength, and glowing with manly beauty. His 
published portraits, though imposing, by no means do 
justice to the impressive port and vivacious presence of 
the man. In his social traits, so far as his native re- 
serve and strong predilections would permit, he was 
magnanimous, hospitable and kind even to a fault." 
" Frank, generous, independent, and not over-refined 
either by native constitution or culture, enemies were 
as plentifully made as easily reconciled by his singular 
admixture of opposing qualities." This last observa- 
tion reminds us of the sayings of Carlyle that " no man 
lives without jostling and being jostled; in all ways 
he has to elbow himself through the world, giving and 
receiving offence. His life is a battle, in so far as it is 
an entity at all." 

His Works. 

To these we have no intention of applying the micro- 
scope of the critic, but simply to enumerate them with 
their dates of "jmblication, prefacing the list with this 
extract from Hillard : 

"The novels of Cooper, in the dates of their publi- 
cation, cover a period of thirty years ; beginning with 
Precaution^ in 1820, and ending with The Ways, of 
the B.om\ in 1860. The production of thirty-two 
volumes in thirty years is honorable to his creative 
energy as well as to the systematic industry of his 
habits. But even these do not constitute the whole of 
his literary labors during these twenty-nine years. We 
must add five volumes of naval history and biogra- 
phy, ten volumes of travels and sketches in Europe, 
and a large amount of occasional and controversial 
writings, most of which is now hidden away in that 
huge wallet wherein time puts his alms for oblivion. 
His literary productions, other than his novels, would 
alone be enough to save him from the reproach of idle- 



220 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

ness. In estimating a writer's claim to honor and re- 
membrance, the quantity as well as the quality of his 
work should surely be taken into account ; and in sum- 
ming up the case of our great novelist to the jury of 
posterity, this point should be strongly put." — Atlantic 

Monthly. 

Works. Published. 

1. Precaution, 1820 

2. Spy, 1821 

3. Pioneers, 1823 

4. Pilot, 1824 

5. Lionel Lincoln, 1825 

6. Last of the Mohicans, 1826 

7. Prairie, 1827 

8. Red Kover, 1827 

9. Notions of the Americans, bv a 

Traveling Bachelor, \.. 1828 

10. Wept of Wish-ton-Wish, . 1829 

11. Residence in Europe, 

12. Bravo, 1831 

13. Monnikins, 1835 

14. American Democrat, '. . . 1835 

15. Sketches of Switzerland,. . ..... 1836 

16. Gleanings in Europe, , 1836 

17. Homeward Bound, 1838 

18. Home as Found, 1838 

19. Naval History of the United 

States, 1839 

20. Path Finder, 1840 

21. Mercedes of Castile, 1840 

22. Deerslayer, 1841 

23. Two Admirals, 1842 

24. Wing and Wing, 1842 

25. Wyandotte or Hutted Knoll, 1843 

26. Afloat and Ashore, 1844 

27. Miles Wallingford,. 1844 

28. Satanstoe, 1845 

29. The Chainbearer,.' 1845 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 221 

Works. Published. 

30. The Redskins, 1845 

31. Water Witch, 

32. Heidenmauer, 

33. Headsman, 

34. Crater, 1846 

35. Oak Openings, 1848 

36. Sea Lions,, 1849 

37. Ned Myers, 1843 

38. Jack Tier, or the Florida Reef, . . 1848 

39. The Ways of the Hour, 1850 

After the completion of so many works, it should not 
be surprising that some of the wheels of his nature 
evinced disorders that soon stopped the whole machine- 
ry. Of the first apptearance of his disease, its deve- 
lopment, final issue, and the sufferer's state of mind, his 
physician, Dr. Francis of New York city, has given us 
the following information : 

"It is well known that for a long period, Mr. Cooper, 
at occasional times only, visited New York city. His 
residence for many years was an elegant and quiet man- 
sion on the southern borders of Otsego lake. Here — in 
his beautiful retreat, embellished by the substantial 
fruits of his labors, and displaying every where his 
exquisite taste^ his mind, ever intent on congenial tasks, 
which, alas ! are left unfinished, surrounded by a de- 
voted and highly cultivated family, and maintaining the 
same clearness of perception, serene firmness, and in- 
tegrity of tone, which distinguished him in the meridian 
of his life — were his mental emj^loyments prosecuted. 
He lived chiefly in rural seclusion, and with habits of 
methodical industry. When visiting the city he min- 
gled cordially with his old friends ; and it was on the 
last occasion of this kind, at the beginning of April, 
that he consulted me with some earnestness in regard to 
his health. He complained of the impaired tone of the 
digestive organs, great torpor of the liver, weakness of 



222 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

muscular activity, and feebleness in walking. Such 
suggestions were offered for his relief as the indications 
of disease warranted. He left the city for his country 
residence, and I was gratified shortly after to learn from 
him of his better condition. 

" During July and August I maintained a correspond- 
ence with him on the subject of his increasing physical 
infirmities, and frankly expressed to him the necessity 
of such remedial measures as seemed clearly necessary. 
Though occasionally relieved of my anxieties by the 
kind communications of his excellent friend and attend- 
ing physician. Dr. Johnson, I was not without solicitude, 
both from his own statements as well as those of Dr. 
Johnson himself, that his disorder was on the increase ; 
certain symptoms were indeed mitigated, but the radical 
features of his illness had not been removed. A letter 
which I soon received induced me forthwith to repair to 
Cooperstown. and on the 27th of August I saw Mr. 
Cooper at his own dwelling. My reception was cordial. 
With his family about him, he related with great clear- 
ness the particulars of his sufferings, and the means of 
relief to which he was subjected. Dr. Johnson was in 
consultation. I at once was struck with the heroic 
firmness of the sufferer, under an accumulation of de- 
pressing symptoms. His physical aspect was much 
altered from that noble freshness he was wont to bear ; 
his complexion was pallid ; his inferior extremities 
greatly enlarged by serous effusion ; his debility so ex- 
treme as to require an assistant for change of position in 
bed ; his pulse sixty-four. There could be no' doubt 
that the long-continued hepatic obstruction had led to 
confirmed dropsy, which, indeed, betrayed itself in sev- 
eral other parts of the body. Yet was he patient and 
collected. That powerful intellect still held empire 
with commanding force, clearness and vigor. I ex- 
plained to him the nature of his malady ; its natural 
termination when uncontrolled ; dwelt upon the favora- 
ble condition and yet regular- action of the heart, and 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 223 

other vital functions, and the urgent necessity of en- 
deavoring still more to fulfill certain indications, in order 
to overcome the force of particular tendencies in the 
disorder. I frankly assured him that within the limits 
of a week a change in the complaint was indispensable 
to lessen our forebodings of its ungovernable nature. 

" He listened with fixed attention ; and now and then 
threw out suo-o-estions of cure such as are not unfre- 
quent with cultivated minds. 

" The great characteristics of his intellect were now 
even more conspicuous than before. Not a murmur 
escaped his lips ; conviction of his extreme illness 
wrought no alteration of his features ; he gave no ex- 
pression of despondency ; his tone and his manner were 
equally dignified, cordial and natural. It was his hap- 
piness to be blessed with a family around him whose 
greatest gratification was to supply his every want, and 
a daughter for a companion in his pursuits, who was his 
intelligent amanuensis and correspondent, as well as 
indefatigable nurse.* 

"I forbear enlarging on matters too professional for 
present detail. During the night after my arrival he 
sustained an attack of severe fointing, which convinced 
me still further of his great personal weakness. An 
ennobling philosophy, however, gave him support, and 
in the morning he had again been refreshed by a sleep 
of some few hours' duration.' I renewed to him and to 
his family the hopes and the discouragements in his 
case. Never was information of so o-rave a cast received 
by any individual in a calmer spirit. He said little as 
to his prospects^of recovery. Upon my taking leave of 
him, however, shortly after, in the morning, I am con- 
vinced, from his manner, that he shared my apprehen- 
sion of a fatal termination of his disorder. Nature, 
however strong in her gifted child, had now her health- 
ful rights largely invaded. His constitutional buoyancy 

* The accomplished authoress of Rural Hours. 



224 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

and determination, by leading him to sliglit that distant 
and thorough attention demanded by primary symp- 
toms, doubtless contributed to their subsequent aggra- 
vation, 

" I shall say but a few words more on this agonizing 
topic. The letters which I received, after my return 
home, communicated at times some cheering facts of 
renovation -, but, on the whole, discouraging demonstra- 
tions of augmenting illness and lessened hope, were 
their prominent characteristics. A letter to me from 
his son-in-law, of the 14th of September, announced : 
' Mr. Cooper died, apparently without much pain, to- 
day at half past one, P. M., leaving his family, although 
prepared by his gradual failure, in deep affliction. He 
would have been sixty-two years old to-morrow.' 

" A life of such uniform and unparalleled excellence 
and service, a career so brilliant and honorable, closed 
in a befitting manner, and was crowned by a death of 
quiet resignation. Conscious of his approaching disso- 
lution, his intelligence seemed to glow with increased 
fullness as his prostrated frame yielded by degrees to 
the last summons. It is familiarly known to his most 
intimate friends, that for some considerable period prior 
to his fatal illness, he approi^riated liberal portions of 
his time to the investigation of scriptural truths, and 
that his convictions were ripe in Christian doctrines. 
With assurances of happiness in the future, he graciously 
yielded up his spirit to the disposal of its Creator. His 
death, which must thus have been the beginning of a 
serene and more blessed life to him, is universally re- 
garded as a national loss." 

Mr. Cooper died on Sunday, September 14th, 1851, 
aged sixty two years lacking one day. His funeral was 
on the 17th, at the Episcopal church; sermon by Rev. 
3Ir. Batten. The body was viewed at the Hall, and 
then buried, after which the services in the church 
were conducted. Among the pall bearers were Hon. 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 225 

Jolin H, Prentiss, Henry Scott, Horace Lathrop, Col. 
Magher, some of whom had been intimate with the de- 
ceased from his boyhood. 

One of the village papers placed on record the follow- 
ing tribute : " The death of such a man is a national 
loss. But in this immediate vicinity the death of Mr. 
Cooper will be most seriously felt, in the character of a 
citizen, neighbor and friend. As a citizen, he was emi- 
nently conservative, public spirited and liberal ; as a 
neighbor he was uniformly kind, generous and obliging; 
as a friend he was faithful and true. 

" A great and good man has fallen — fallen in the 
maturity of his usefulness — in the enjoyment of a 
world-wide reputation; but we are rejoiced to know and 
to say, that he fell asleep, cheerfully and trustingly, in 
the arms of Him, through whose intercession and expi- 
ation alone comes everlasting life." 

Action of Christ Church. 

At a meeting of the vestry of Christ church, called 
upon the occasion of the death of James Fenimore 
Cooper, one of the wardens of this parish, the following 
resolutions were unanimously adopted : 

Kesolved, That while we bow with humble reverence 
and submission to the dispensation of divine providence, 
we cannot but mourn in the death of Mr, Cooper, the 
loss of a man of the purest principles, the most inflexi- 
ble integrity, and constant Christian character. 

Resolved, That in his death, his family have been 
called to mourn the loss of an affectionate husband and 
tender father, one whose generous heart and ready sym- 
pathies, have endeared him to them in an especial man- 
ner. And this church has lost one of her most liberal, 
active and efficient laymen. 

Resolved, That the clerk of the vestry be requested 
to communicate a copy of our proceedings to Mrs. 
Fenimore Cooper, and her family, as an expression of 



226 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

our sympathy with them in their bereavement, and that 
he furnish a C02:)y for publication. 

Henry Scott, Senior Warden, 
Wm. a. Comstock, Clerk. Chairman. 

His grave is in the spacious family lot on the north 
side of the beautiful grounds of the Episcopal church, 
where the plow-share was never run, under the pines of 
nature's planting, in whose branches the woods bird is 
often heard singing — a befitting place of rest for him 
whose spirit had found so much in the wildness of 
nature and in the circles of refinement to instruct and 
amuse, and its chief consolations in the Christian reli- 
gion. The place wdiere he lies is designated simply by 
a fine marble slab about six inches thick, thirty inches 
wide and six feet long, lying over his grave. On it is 
a plain inscription of his name, death and age. By the 
side of this lies the slab (of the same dimensions) of his 
wife, who survived him not four months. 

His Children. — Elizabeth, died in infancy; Susan 
Augusta, authoress of Rural Hours ; Caroline Martha, 
Mrs. Henry Frederick Phinney ; Anne Charlotte ; 
Maria Frances, Mrs. Richard Cooper -, Fenimore, died 
in infancy ; Paul F., member of the bar in Albany. 

The beautiful mansion and grounds which he left 
soon passed into other hands, a competency, however, 
being inherited from him by his family. After the 
Hall was burned, as stated in another place, from the 
bricks that remained, a very tasteful dwelling for his 
daughters, Susan A. and Anne Charlotte, was erected 
on the west bank of the Susquehanna, having some of 
the oak doors snatched from the flames of the Hall, and 
overlooking the grounds of the latter. 

His Will. 

Will. — I, James Fenimore Cooper, declare and pub- 
lish this to be my last will and testament. I give and 
bequeath to my wife, Susan- Augusta, all my property 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 227 

now in possession, or to wliicli I may liave any claim 
now, or hereafter, whether real, personal or mixed, to 
be enjoyed by her, her heirs and assigns forever. I 
make my said wife the executrix of my will. 

Signed, &c. 

Very soon after his death, measures were taken in 
New York city, to honor his memory both by public 
assemblage of his literary and numerous friends, and 
by the erection of a suitable monument, as seen by the 
following extracts from the Memorial of Cooj^er^ pub- 
lished by Putnam in 1852 : 

Meeting at the City Hall. 

At a meetina- of friends of the late James Fenimore 
Cooper, held in the City Hall, in the city of New York, 
pursuant to notice, on the 25th of vSeptember, 1851, 
Washington Irving in the chair, and Fitz-Greene Hal- 
leck and Rufus W. Grriswold, secretaries, the following 
gentlemen were appointed a committee to make the 
necessary arrangements for a suitable demonstration of 
respect for Mr. Cooper's memory : 

Washington Irving, Lewis GJ-aylord Clark, 

Gulian C. Verplanck, John A. Dix, 

John Duer, George P. Morris, 

James K. Paulding, Samuel Osgood, 

John W. Francis, Charles Anthon, 

Richard B. Kimball, Charles F. Briggs, 

Francis L. Hawks, Maunsell B. Field, 

William C. Bryant, Parke Godwin, 

William W. Campbell, Jona. M. Wainwright, 

Fitz-Greene Halleck, Donald G. Mitchell, 

Rufus W. Griswold, Geo. P. Putnam, 

Charles King, N. P. Willis, 

George Bancroft, J. G. Cogswell, 

J. Starbuck Mayo. 

At this meeting the following letters were read : 



228 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

[From Wasliington Irving.] 

Sunnyside, Thursday, Sept. 18, 1851, 

My Dear Sir : The death of Fenimore Cooper, though 
anticipated, is an event of deep and public concern, and 
calls for the highest expression of public sensibility. 
To me it comes with something of a shock -, for it 
seems but the other day that I saw him at our common 
literary resort at Putnam's, in full vigor of mind and 
body, a very " castle of a man," and apparently des- 
tined to outlive me, who am several years his senior. 
He has left a space in our literature which will not 

easily be supplied I shall not fail to attend the 

proposed meeting on Wednesday next. 

Very respectfully, your friend and servant, 

Washington Irving. 

Rev. Rurus W. Griswold. 

[From William C. Bryant.] 

Rochester, Friday, Sept. 19, 1851. 

My Dear Sir : I am sorry that the arrangements for 
my journey to the west, are such that I cannot be pre- 
sent at the meeting which is about to be held to do 
honor to the memory of Mr. Cooper, on losing whom 
not only the country, but the civilized world and the 
age in which we live, have lost one of their most illus- 
trious ornaments. It is melancholy to think that it is 
only until such men are in their graves that full justice 
is done to their merit. I shall be most happy to concur 
in any step which may be taken to express, in a public 
manner, our respect for the character of one to whom 
we were too sparing of public distinctions in his life- 
time, and beg that I may be included in the proceed- 
ings of the occasion as if I were present. 

I am, very respectfully, yours. 

Rev. R W. Griswold. Wm. C. Bryant. 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 229 

[From Bishop Doane.] 

Riverside, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 1851. 

My Dear Sir : .... I beg you to say, generally, in 
your discretion, that I yield to no one who will be pre- 
sent, in my estimate of the distinguished talents and 
admirable services of Mr. Cooper, or in my readiness to 
do the highest honor to his illustrious memory. His 
name must ever find a place among the " household 
words " of all our hearts ; a name as beautiful for its 
blamelessness of life, as it is eminent for its attainments 
in letters, which has subordinated to the higher inter- 
ests of patriotism and piety, the fervors of fancy and 
the fascinations of romance. 

Very faithfully, your friend and servant. 

Rev. Rurus W. Griswold. Gr. W. Doane. 

[From James K. Paulding.] 

Hyde Park, Sept. 28, 1851. 

My Dear Sir : .... You will state the reason of my 
absence, .... at the same time giving assurance of my 
cordial cooperation in any tribute they may offer to the 
memory of one who occupied so high a place among the 
distinguished authors of the age, and whose many esti- 
mable qualities merited the sincere regard of all who 
knew him. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Rev. Dr. Griswold. J. K. Paulding. 

[From G. P. R. James.] 

Stockbridge, Mass., 23d Sept. 1851. 
Dear Doctor Griswold : I reg-ret extremelv that it 
will not be in my power to be present at the meeting to 
testify respect for the memory of Mr. Cooper. I grieve 
sincerely that so eminent a man is lost to the country 
and the world ; and though unacquainted with him per- 
sonally, I need hardly tell you how highly his abilities 
as an author, and his character, were appreciated by 

Yours faithfully, 

G. P. R. James. 
20 



230 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

[From Mr. Bancroft.] 

Newport, R. I., Thursday, Sept. 18, 1851. 

My Dear Sir : I heartily sympathize with the design 
of a public tribute to the genius, manly character, and 
o:reat career of the illustrious man whose loss we de- 
plore. Others have combined very high merit as au- 
thors, with professional pursuits. Mr. Cooper was, of 
those who have gone from among us, the first to devote 
himself exclusively to letters. We must admire the 
noble courage with which he entered on a course which 
none before him had tried ; the glory which he justly 
won was reflected on his country, of whose literary in- 
dependence he was the pioneer, and deserves the grate- 
ful recognition of all who survive him. 

By the time proposed for the meeting, I fear I shall 
not be able to return to New York, but you may use my 
name in any manner that shall strongly express my 
delight in the writings of our departed friend, my 
thorough respect for his many virtues, and my sense of 
that surpassing ability which has made his own name 
and the names of the creations of his fancy, household 
words throughout the civilized world. 

I remain, dear sir, very truly yours, 

Rev. R. W. Griswold. George Bancroft. 

[From Mr. Everett.] 

Cambridge, Sept. 23, 1851. 

Dear Sir : I received, this afternoon, your favor of 
the 17th, inviting me to attend and participate in the 
meeting to be held in your City hall, for the purpose of 
doing honor to the memory of the late Mr. Fenimore 
Cooper. 

I sincerely regret that I cannot be with you. The 
state of the weather puts it out of my power to make 
the journey. The object of the meeting has my entire 
sympathy. The works of Mr. Cooper have adorned and 
elevated our literature. There is nothing more purely 
American, in the highest "sense of the word, than se- 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 231 

veral of them. In his department he is facile princeps. 
He wrote too much to write every thing equally well, 
but his abundance flowed out of a full, original mind, 
and his rapidity and variety bespoke a resolute and 
manly consciousness of power. If among his works 
there are some which, had he been longer spared to us, 
he would himself, on consideration, have desired to 
recall, there are many more which the latest posterity 
" will not willingly let die." 

With much about him that was intensely national, 
we have but one other writer (Mr. Irving) as widely 
known abroad. Many of Cooper's novels were not only 
read at every fireside in England, but were translated 
into every language of the European continent. 

He owed a part of his inspiration to the magnificent 
nature which surrounded him ; to the lakes, and forests, 
and Indian traditions, and border life of your great 
state. It would have been as difficult to create Leather- 
stocking any where out of New York, or some state 
closely resembling it, as to create Don Quixote out of 
Spain. To have trained and possessed Fenimore Cooper 
will be — is already — with justice, one of your great- 
est boasts. But we cannot let you monopolize the care 
of his memory. We have all rejoiced in his genius ; 
we have all felt the fascination of his pen ; we all de- 
plore his loss. You must allow us all to join you in 
doing honor to the name of our great American novel- 
ist. I am dear sir, with great respect, 

Very truly yours, 

Edward Everett. 

Rev. Rufus AY. Griswold. 

[From Charles Jared IngersolL] 

Fonthill, Philadelphia, Sept. 30th, 1851. 

Dear Sir : Your favor, inviting me to a meeting of 

the friends of Fenimore Cooper, did not reach me till 

this morning, owing probably to an irregularity of the 

post-office. Otherwise I should have tried to attend 



232 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

the proposed meeting, not only as a friend of Mr. 
Cooper, but as one among those of his countrymen 
who consider his memory a national trust for honored 
preservation. 

In my opinion of Fenimore Cooper as a novelist, he 
is entitled to one merit to which few if any one of his 
contemporary European romance writers can lay claim, 
to wit, originality. Leatherstocking is an original cha- 
racter, and entirely American, which is probably one 
of the reasons why Cooper was more appreciated in con- 
tinental Europe than even Scott, whose magnificent 
f[incy embellished every thing, but whose genius, I 
think, originated nothing. And then, in my estimate of 
Mr. Cooper's superior merits, was manly independence — 
a rare American virtue. For the less free English- 
man or Frenchman, politically, there was a freeness in 
the expression as well as adoption of his own views of 
men and things. And a third kindred merit of Cooper 
was highminded and gentlemanly abstinence from self- 
applause. No distinguished or aj^plauded man ever was 
less apt to talk of himself and his performances. Un- 
like too many modern j)oets, novelists, and other writers, 
apt to become debauchees, drunkards, blackguards and 
the like (as if, as some think, genius and vice go to- 
gether), Mr. Cooper was a gentleman remarkable for 
good plain sense, correct deportment, striking probity 
and propriety, and withal unostentatiously devout. Not 
meaning to disparage any one in order by odious com- 
parisons to extol him, I deem his Naval History a more 
valuable and enduring historical work than many others, 
both English and American, of contemporaneous pub- 
lication and much wider dissemination. In short, if the 
gentlemen whose names I have seen in the public jour- 
nals with yours, proposing some concentrated eulogium, 
should determine to appoint a suitable person, with time 
to prepare it, I believe that Fenimore Cooper may be 
made the subject of illustration in very many and most 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 233 

striking lights, justly reflecting him, and with excellent 
influence on his country. 

I do not recollect, from what I read lately in the 
newspapers, precisely what you and the other gentle- 
men associated with you in this proceeding propose to 
do, or whether anything is to take place. But if so, 
whatever and wherever it may be, I beg you to use this 
answer to your invitation, and any services I can render, 
as cordial contributions, which I shall be proud and 
happy to make. I am, very respectfully, 



Your humble servant 



Rev. Rufus W. Griswold. C. J. Ingersoll. 

Letters of similar import were read from George 
Ticknor, William H. Prescott, John Neal, William 
Gilmore Simms, William Ware, and other eminent 
literary men, and the meeting was attended by Dr. 
Francis Lieber, Henry C. Carey, and other persons of 
distinction from different parts of the country. 

Meeting of the New York Historical Society. 

At the meeting of the New York Historical society, 
on the evening of Tuesday, the 7th of October, the Hon. 
Luther Bradish in the chair, after the transaction of the 
regular business, the following resolutions were moved 
by Bev. Bufus W. Griswold : 

Whereas, It has pleased Almighty God to remove 
from this life our illustrious associate and countryman, 
James Fenimore Cooper, while his fame was in its full- 
ness, and his intelligence was still unclouded by age or 
any infirmity, therefore : 

Besolved, That this society has heard of the death of 
James Fenimore Cooper with profound regret ; that it 
recognizes in him an eminent subject and a masterly 
illustrator of our history ; that in his contributions to 
our literature, he displayed eminent genius and a truly 
national spirit ; that, in his personal character, he was 
honorable, brave, sincere and generous, as respectable 



234 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

for unaflfected virtue, as lie was distinguished for great 
capacities ; that this society, appreciating the loss which, 
however heavily it has fallen upon this country and the 
literary world, has fallen most heavily upon his family, 
instructs its officers to convey to his family, assurances 
of respectful symf)athy and condolence. 

Mr. George Bancroft having seconded these resolu- 
tions, 

Dr. John W. Francis said : I am rejoiced at the pre- 
sentation of these resolutions to the society. Among 
the many great literary men whom our country has j^ro- 
duced, there were none greater than Mr. Cooper. I 
knew him for a period of thirty years, and during all 
that time I never knew any thing of his character that 
was not in the highest degree praiseworthy. He was a 
man of great decision of character, and a fair expositor 
of his own thoughts on every occasion ; a thorough 
American, for I never knew a man v/ho was more en- 
tirely so in heart and principle. He was able, with his 
vast knowledge, and a powerful physical structure, to 
complete whatever he attempted. Men might dissent 
from his opinions, but no one ever successfully im- 
pugned his facts. He had studied the history of his 
country with a large philosophy, and understood our 
people and their character better than any other writer 
of the age. He was not only perfectly acquainted with 
our general history, but he was also conversant with 
that of every state, county, village, lake and river of the 
country. 

New York, with its history, was his delight. Mr. 
Cooper was emphatically a New York man. And with 
this vast knowledge he was no less remarkable for his 
ability as an historian than for his intrepidity of per- 
sonal character. 

I will trespass but a moment longer on the time of 
the society. It was natural to infer, that a life of such 
integrity, so usefully and so honorably passed, as Mr. 
Cooper's, should be closed By a death equally entitled 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 235 

to our notice. With the cahiiness of a Christian phi- 
losopher he listened to the details of his critical situa- 
tion, I had every reason to believe, from my profes- 
sional interviews with him, and from what I learned 
afterwards from his interesting family, by whom he was 
surrounded in his dying hours, that death had no ter- 
rors for him ; that he was fully prepared to enter into 
eternity. He had for some considerable time previously 
devoted himself to the study of the holy scriptures — 
had become an active member of the Protestant Episco- 
pal ■ church — and had received its sacraments, in the 
administrations of his pastor, the Eev. Mr. Batten. He 
had for many years been chosen a delegate of the 
church at Cooperstown, to the annual conventions of 
the Protestant Episcopal church in New York ; and on 
a recent occasion, and at an important crisis, he exhibit- 
ed commanding powers in justification of the views he 
expressed in the defence of certain principles in church 
discipline, and on the purity of the ministerial office. 
In the full fruition of the promises of the Christian 
fjuth, he died, at his beautiful sylvan retreat, on Otsego 
lake, at half-past one o'clock, P. M., on Sunday, the 14th 
September, 1851, one day before the completion of his 
sixty-second year. He expired, calm and resigned, in 
full possession of his intellectual powers. 

I leave to others of our associates to enlars-e on the 
magnificence of his gifts — his intellectual labors — the 
benefits he has conferred on letters, and on society, and 
the beneficence he exercised to the poor and to the 
needy. I could not allow this opportunity to pass with- 
out paying my tribute to the merits of this truly great 
man. 

Mr. Bancroft next addressed the society. My friend, 
he said, has spoken of the illustrious deceased as an 
American — I say that he was an embodiment of the 
American feeling, and truly illustrated American great- 
ness. We were endeavoring to hold up our heads be- 
fore the world, and to claim a character and an intellect 



236 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

of our own, when Cooper appeared with his powerful 
genius to support our pretensions. He came forth im- 
bued with American life, and feeling, and sentiment. 
Another like Cooper cannot appear, for he was pecu- 
liarly suited to his time, which was that of an invading 
civilization. The fame and honor which he gained 
were not obtained by obsequious deference to public 
opinion, but simply by his great ability and manly 
character. Great as he was in the department of ro- 
mantic fiction, he was not less deserving of praise in 
that of history. In Lionel Lincoln he has described 
the battle of Bunker hill better than it is described in 
any other work. In his Naval History of the United 
States, he has left us the most admirable composition 
of which any nation could boast on a similar subject. 

Mr. Bancroft proceeded in a masterly analysis of 
some of Mr. Cooper's characters, and ended with an 
impressive assertion of the purity of his contributions 
to our literature, the eminence of his genius, and the 
dignity of his personal character. 

My friend, he said, has alluded to the religious senti- 
ments of Mr. Cooper. It has been said, " an unde- 
vout astronomer is mad," but with as much truth may 
it be said of an irreligious man of letters. Following 
the subtle processes of human learning, busied with the 
nicest operations of the mind, pursuing truth as the 
great object, shall he, in tracing the streams, forget the 
Fountain of all truth ? Mr. Cooper certainly did not 
do so. 

Meeting at Metropolitan Hall. 

The evening of the 25^th of February having finally 
been selected for the public commemorative proceedings 
in honor of Mr. Cooper, the spacious Metropolitan Hall 
was filled at an early hour with an assembly comprising 
a large representation of the intelligence and literary 
culture of the city. Mr. Webster took the chair at half- 
past seven o'clock. On his right hand were seated Mr. 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 237 

Bryant, Mr. Lutlier Braclisli,Mr, Kingsland, the Mayor, 
and Dr. Francis ; on his left Mr. Washington Irving, 
chairman of the committee, Rev. Dr. Griswold, secre- 
tary of the committee, and Mr. Bancroft ; and on the 
stage, besides members of the committee, were Bev. 
Dr. Henry and Professor Adler of the University ; Mr. 
Gr. P. R. James, Chancellor McCoun, Chief Justice' 
Jones, Mr, Charles O'Conor, Mr. Ogden Hoffman, 
Rev. Dr. Bethune, Professor Hackley of Columbia 
college, Mr. Curtis, author o^ Nile Notes ; Mr. Young, 
editor of The Alhion ; Mr. George Ripley, Mr. H. T. 
Tuckerman, Mr. Benjamin F. Butler, Mr. Pell, Dr. 
Wynne, and many other persons of distinction. 

In the speeches pronounced during the evening, 
and in most of the subsequent reports in the journals, 
the opinion was expressed that there had never before 
been assembled for any purpose so large an audience of 
the most intellectual and socially eminent classes of the 
city, as was then present. 

The meeting was called to order by Washington 
Irving, who was received with great enthusiasm. He 
said : 

I was sorry to find it reported that I intended to 
deliver an address this evening. I have no talent for 
public speaking ; if I had I would be most hapj)y to 
do justice to the genius of one whose writings entitle 
him to the love, respect and admiration of every Ame- 
rican. I appear before you, on this occasion, as chair- 
man of the committee of arrangements, to present to 
you the Hon. Daniel Webster, who will preside at this 
meeting. 

Mr. Irving here introduced Mr. Webster to the 
audience, amidst loud, enthusiastic and long-continued 
applause. 

AYhen quiet was restored, Mr. Webster advanced 
and said : 

Ladies and gentlemen: I deem it an honor to be 
called upon to occupy the chair of this meeting. The 



238 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

object is to promote the purpose of erecting an appro- 
priate statue to the memory of a distinguished citizen 
of New York, who has not only honored the state to 
which he belonged, but also the whole country, of 
which he was a citizen, by his distinguished contribu- 
tions to American literature. 

Ladies and gentlemen, There are roads to fame of 
various character. Feats in arms acquire renown, 
military achievements take strong hold of the minds 
of men, and transmit the names of their authors to 
the knowledge of posterity. Political life has also its 
distinction, and those who have proved eminent in this 
career, especially if connected with events greatly af- 
fecting, and favorably affecting, the liberty of their 
country and of mankind, have equal right to be che- 
rished in the grateful recollection of succeeding gene- 
rations. He, in whose honor we are now assembled, 
was never a soldier in arms, nor was it his lot to com- 
mand the attention of listening senates. But by the 
diffusion of his literary productions, by his taste, 
talent and industry, he had become so much an object 
of national regard, as one to whom all classes were in- 
debted, for knowledge and literary recreation. 

Ladies and gentlemen, Is there any reputation more 
to be desired than that which is established by address- 
ing itself to the taste and the cultivation, the morality 
and the religion, of civilized men ? Who can more 
properly deserve praise than he who elevates the liter- 
ature, enlightens the moral power, and strengthens the 
religious character of the age in which he lives ? 

I should not be here to-night, ladies and gentlemen, 
to raise my feeble voice in honor of the memory of 
Fenimore Cooper, however distinguished by genius, 
talent, education and the art of popular writing, if in 
the character of his productions there was any thing 
to be found calculated to undermine the principles of 
our religious faith, or debauch the morality of the 
country. 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 239 

Nothing of genius or talent can atone for an injury 
of this kind to the rising generation of the commu- 
nity. 

As far as I am acquainted with the writings of Mr. 
Cooper, they uphold good sentiments, sustain good 
morals, and maintain just taste \ and, after saying this, 
I have next to add, that all his writings are truly pa- 
triotic and American, throughout and throughout. 

It is for these reasons that I deem it an honor to be 
here, on this occasion, to perform my humble part, to 
rear a proper statue or monument, to the memory of 
Fenimore Cooper. I consider him as having- contri- 
buted largely to the reputation of American literature, 
at home and abroad. 

He is known everywhere; his writings have been 
read not only all over this country, but wherever our 
language is read ; and wherever read they have in- 
spired good feelings and given rational pleasure. He 
possessed the power of amusing, and of enlightening 
readers among the younger classes of the country, 
without injury to their morals, or any solicitation of 
depraved passions. This is his great praise, and what 
is more honorable, or more likely to endure, than the 
fame which is secured by writings of this tendency ? 
and these writings, at the same time, are full of inform- 
ation respecting our country, the early habits of the 
people, and our own scenery, and are therefore likely to 
o-o down with OTeat interest to the generations which 
are to succeed us. and to transmit his delineation of 
American character, in the age before his own, to those 
which shall come after him. There has been no Ame- 
rican writer (I suppose) who imbued his own mind 
with a fresher or stronger feeling of the habits and 
manners of the early settlers of this country, who both 
understood the scenery and modes of life, on the fron- 
tier, between civilization and the forest, or who has pre- 
sented that scenery or those modes of life with more 
variety and effect. He has gone; but he has left a 



240 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

name behind liim, which it is ours to cherish and to 
honor ; and so far as marble or bronze can perpetuate 
it, let marble and bronze be employed. But it is rather, 
I think, for the purpose of manifesting our own grati- 
tude for his well-deserving efforts, that we ardently 
contribute by these material fabrics to the object of 
transmitting his memory to our children. The endur- 
ing monuments of Fenimore Cooper are his works. 
Those, and this meeting, composed as it is, of many of 
the most distinguished of the men of letters of his age 
and country, with other thousands of his admiring fel- 
low-citizens, assembled in honor of his memory, consti- 
tute his fame. He might say with the great Roman 
orator, Quibus pro tantis rehus^ nullum ego a vobns 
jirsemiujyi virtutis^ nullum insigne honoris, nullum 7non- 
umentum laudls postulo, 'prseterquam hujus cliei mcmo- 
riam semj^iternam. In animis ego vestris omnes triuiii- 
plios meos, omnia ornamentci honoris, monumenta glor ise,, 
laud is insignia, condi et collocari volo. Living in an 
enlightened age, an age of literature and science, of 
history, poetry and recital, the monument of Mr. Cooper 
exists in the minds of men, and, like other thoughts 
and sentiments, is transmitted from man to man in the 
ordinary succession of generations. While mind and 
memory and taste, the veneration of religion, the love 
of country and of good morals, continue to prevail, his 
remembrance will exist in the hearts of the people. 

Ladies and gentlemen, my duty on this occasion is 
very simple. It is to signify my sense of the honor 
conferred on me, by being called to the chair of this 
meeting, and to prepare you for the proceedings and 
the remarks which are now to succeed. 

Turning to the secretary of the committee (Mr. Fitz- 
Greene Halleck, one of the secretaries, being detained 
from the meeting), Mr. Webster then said : 

Dr. Griswold will now proceed to read letters that 
have been addressed to the committee of friends of Mr. 
Cooper, by gentlemen who 'are not present. 



history of cooperstown. 241 

Discourse on the Life, GIenius and Writings of 
James Fenimore Cooper, 

BY WM. CULLEN BRYANT. 

It is DOW somewhat more than a year since the friends 
of James Fenimore Cooper, in this city, were phinning 
to give a public dinner to his honor. It was intended 
as an expression both of the regard they bore him per- 
sonally, and of the pride they took in the glory his 
writings had reflected on the American name. We 
thought of what we should say in his hearing ; in what 
terms, worthy of him and of us, we should speak of the 
esteem in which we held him, and of the interest we 
felt in a fame which had already penetrated to the re- 
motest nook of the earth inhabited by civilized man. 

To-day we assemble for a sadder purpose : to pay to 
the dead some part of the honors then intended for the 
living. We bring our oflering, but he is not here who 
should receive it 5 in his stead are vacancy and silence; 
there is no eye to brighten at our words, and no voice 
to answer. " It is an empty office that we perform," said 
Virgil, in his melodious verses, when commemorating 
the virtues of the young Marcellus, and bidding flowers 
be strewn, with full hands, over his early grave. We 
might apply the expresion to the present occasion, but 
it would be true in part only. We can no longer do 
any thing for him who is departed, but we may do what 
will not be without fruit to those who remain. It is 
good to occupy our thoughts with the example of great 
talents in conjunction with great virtues. His genius 
has passed away with him ; but we may learn, from the 
history of his life, to employ the faculties we possess 
with useful activity and noble aims ; we may copy his 
magnanimous frankness, his disdain of every thing that 
wears the faintest semblance of deceit, his refusal to 
comply with current abuses, and the courage with 
which, on all occasions, he asserted what he deemed 
truth, and combated what ho thought error. 

21 



242 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

The circumstances of Cooper's early life were remark- 
ably suited to confirm the natural hardihood and manli- 
ness of his character, and to call forth and exercise that 
extraordinary power of observation, which accumulated 
the materials afterward wielded and shaped by his ge- 
nius. His father, while an inhabitant of Burlington, in 
New Jersey, on the pleasant banks of the Delaware, 
was the owner of large possessions on the borders of the 
Otseo'o lake, in our own state, and here, in the newty- 
cleared fields, he built, in 1786, the first house in Coopers- 
town. To this home. Cooper, who was born in Burlington 
in the year 1789, was conveyed in his infancy: and here, 
as he informs us in his preface to the Pioneers^ his first 
impressions of the external world were obtained. Here 
he passed his childhood, with the vast forest around 
him, stretching up the mountains that overlooked the 
lake, and fiir beyond, in a region where the Indian yet 
roamed, and the white hunter, half Indian in his dress 
and mode of life, sought his game, — a region in which 
the bear and the wolf were yet hunted, and the panther, 
more formidable than either, lurked in the thickets, and 
tales of wanderings in the wilderness, and encounters 
with these fierce animals, beguiled the length of the 
winter nights. Of this place. Cooper, although early 
removed from it to pursue his studies, was an occasional 
resident throughout his life, and here his last years were 
wholly passed. 

At the age of thirteen he was sent to Yale college, 
where, notwithstandino; his extreme vouth — for, with the 
exception of the poet Ilillhouse, he was the youngest 
of his class, and Hillhouse was afterward withdraw^u — 
his progress in his studies is said to have been honorable 
to his talents. He left the college, after a residence of 
three years, and became a midshipman in the United 
States navy. Six years he followed the sea, and there 
yet wanders, among those who are fond of literarj^ an- 
ecdote, a story of the young sailor who, in the streets of 
one of the English ports, attracted the curiosity of the 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 243 

crowd, by explaining to his comj^anions a Latin motto 
in some public place. That during this period he made 
"himself master of the knowledge and the imagery which 
he afterward employed to so much advantage in his 
romances of the sea, the finest ever written, is a common 
and obvious remark ; but it has not been, so far as I 
know, observed that from the discipline of a seaman's 
life he may have derived much of his readiness and 
fertility of invention, much of his skill in surrounding 
the personages of his novels with imaginary perils, and 
rescuing them by probable expedients. Of all pursuits, 
the life of a sailor is that which familiarizes men to 
danger in its most fearful shapes, most cultivates pre- 
sence of mind, and most effectually calls forth the re- 
sources of prompt and fearless dexterity by which immi- 
nent evil is avoided. 

In 1811, Cooper, having resigned his post as midship- 
man, began the year by marrying Miss Delancey, sister 
of the present bishop of the diocese of western New 
York, and entered upon a domestic life happily passed 
to its close. He went to live at Scarsdale, in the county 
of Westchester, where he occupied himself with the im- 
provement of a farm, and occasionally with landscape 
gardening, then an art little practised in this country, 
and while here he wrote and published the first of his 
novels, entitled Precaution. Concerning the occasion 
of writing his work, it is related, that once, as he was 
reading an English novel to Mrs. Cooper, who has with- 
in a short time past been laid in the grave beside her 
illustrious husband, and of whom we may now say, that 
her goodness was no less eminent than his genius, he 
suddenly laid down the book, and said, " I believe I 
could write a better myself." Almost immediately he 
composed a chapter of a projected work of fiction, and 
read it to the same friendly judge, who encouraged him 
to finish it, and when it was completed, suggested its 
publication. Of this he had at the time no intention, 
but he was at length induced to submit the manuscript 



244 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

to the examination of the late Charles Wilkes, of this 
city, in whose literary opinions he had great confidence. 
Mr. Wilkes advised that it should be published, and to 
these circumstances we owe it that Cooper became an 
author. 

I confess I have merely dipped into this work. The 
experiment was made with the first edition, deformed 
by a strange punctuation — a profusion of commas and 
other pauses, which puzzled and rej)elled me. Its au- 
thor, many years afterward, revised and republished it, 
correctino- this fault, and some faults of style also, so 
that to a casual inspection it appeared almost another 
work. It was a professed delineation of English man- 
ners, though the author had then seen nothing of 
English society. It had, however, the honor of being 
adopted by the country whose manners it described, 
and being early republished in Great Britain passed 
from the first for an English novel. I am not unwill- 
ing to believe what is said of it, that it contained a 
promise of the powers which its author afterward put 
forth. 

Thirty years ago, in the year 1821, and in the thirty- 
second of his life. Cooper published the first of the 
works by which he will be known to posterity, the ^py. 
It took the reading world by a kind of surprise ; its 
merit was acknowledged by a rapid sale ; the public 
read with eagerness and the critics wondered. Many 
withheld their commendations on account of defects in 
the plot or blemishes in the composition, arising from 
want of practice, and some waited till they could hear 
the judgment of European readers. Yet there were not 
wanting critics in this country, of whose good opinion 
any author in any part of the world might be proud, 
who spoke of it in the terms it deserved. " Are you not 
delighted," wrote a literary friend to me, who has since 
risen to high distinction as a writer, both in verse and 
in prose, " are you not deliglited with the Spy^ as a work 
of infinite spirit and genius V In that word genius lay 



HISTORY OF COOPEKSTOWN 245 

the explanation of the hold which the work hud taken 
on the minds of men. What it had of excellence was 
peculiar and unborrowed ; its pictures of life, whether 
in repose or activity, were drawn with broad lights and 
shadows, immediately from living originals in nature or 
in his own imagination. To him, whatever he described 
was true ; it was made a reality to him by the strength 
with which he conceived it.^ His power in the delinea- 
tion of character was shown in the principal personage 
of his story, Harvey Birch, on whom, though he has 
chosen to employ him in the ignoble office of a spy, and 
endowed him with the qualities necessary to his profes- 
sion — extreme circumspection, fertility in stratagem, 
and the art of concealing his real character — qualities 
which, in conjunction with selfishness and greediness, 
make the scoundrel, he has bestowed the virtues of 
generosity, magnanimity, an intense love of country, a 
fidelity not to be corrupted, and a disinterestedness 
beyond temptation. Out of this combination of quali- 
ties he has wrought a character which is a favorite in 
all nations and with all classes of mankind. The intro- 
duction of General Washington as one of the personages 
of the story, was a blemi,sh in the work which Cooper^ 
in later years, regretted to such a degree that he spoke 
of writing the Spy over again. 

It is said that if you cast a pebble into the ocean, at 
the mouth of our harbor, the vibration made in the 
water passes gradually on till it strikes the icy barriers 
of the deep at the south pole. The spread of Cooper's 
reputation is not confined within narrower limits. The 
Spy is read in all the written dialects of Europe, and in 
some of those of Asia. The French, immediately after 
its first appearance, gave it to the multitudes who read 
their far-diffused language, and placed it among the first 
works of its class. It was rendered into Castilian, and 
passed into the hands of those who dwell under the 
beams of the Southern cross. At length it crossed the 
eastern frontier of Europe, and the latest record I have 



246 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

seen of its progress toward absolute universality, is con- 
tained in a statement of the International Magazine, 
derived I presume from its author, that in 1847 it was 
published in a Persian translation at Ispahan. Before 
this time, I doubt not, they are reading it in some of 
the languages of Hindostan, and, if the Chinese ever 
translated anything, it would be in the hands of the 
many millions who inhabit the far Cathay. 

I have spoken of the hesitation which American 
critics felt in admitting the merits of the Spy, on ac- ' 
count of crudities in the plot or the composition, some 
of which no doubt really existed. An exception must 
be made in favor of the Port Folio, which, in a notice 
written by Mrs. Sarah Hall, mother of the editor of 
that periodical, and author of Conversations on the 
Bible, gave the work a cordial welcome ; and Cooper, 
as I am informed, never forgot this act of timely and 
ready kindness. 

It was perhaps favorable to the immediate success 
of the Spy^ that Cooper had few American authors to 
divide .with him the public attention. That crowd of 
clever men and women who now write for the maga- 
zines, who send out volumes of essays, sketches, and 
poems, and who supply the press with novels, biogra- 
phies, and historical works, were then, for the most 
part, either stammering their lessons in the schools, or 
yet unborn. Yet it is worthy of note, that just about 
the time that the Sjyy made its appearance, the dawn 
of what we now call our literature was just breaking. 
The concluding number of Dana's Idle Man, a work 
neglected at first, but now numbered among the best 
things of the kind in our language, was issued in the 
same month. The Sketch Book was then just com- 
pleted ] the world isvas admiring it, and its author 
was meditating Bracehriflge Hall. Miss Sedgwick, 
about the same time, made her first essay in that 
charming series of novels^ of domestic life in New 
England, which have gained her so high a reputation. 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 247 

Percival, now unhappily silent, had just put to press 
a volume of poems. I have a copy of an edition of 
Halleck's Fanny ^ published in the same year ; the 
poem of Yamoi/clen, by Eastburn and Sands, appeared 
almost simultaneously with it. Livingston was putting 
the finishing hand to his Report on the Penal Code of 
Louisiana, a work written with such grave, persuasive 
eloquence, that it belongs as much to our literature as 
to our jurisprudence. Other contemporaneous Ameri- 
can works there were, now less read. Paul Allen's 
poem of Noah was just laid on the counters of the 
booksellers. Arden published at the same time, in 
this city, a translation of Ovid's Tristia, in heroic 
verse, in which the complaints of the eifeminate Ro- 
man poet were rendered with great fidelity to the ori- 
ginal, and sometimes not without beauty. If I may 
speak of myself, it was in that year that I timidly en- 
trusted to the winds and waves of public ojjinion a 
small cargo of my own — a poem entitled The Agea, and 
half a dozen shorter ones, in a thin duodecimo volume, 
printed at Cambridge. 

We had, at the same time, works of elegant litera- 
ture, fresh from the press of Great Britain, which are 
still read and admired. Barry Cornwall, then a young 
suitor for fame, published in the same year his Marcla 
Colonna ; Byron, in the full strength and fertility of 
his genius, gave the readers of English his tragedy of 
Marino Faliero^ and was in the midst of his spirited 
controversy with Bowles concerning the poetry of Pope. 
The Bpy had to sustain a comparison with Scott's An- 
tiquari/^ published simultaneously with it, and with 
Lockhart's Valerius^ which seems to me one of the 
most remarkable works of fiction ever composed. 

In 1823, and in his thirty-fourth year. Cooper brought 
out his novel of the Pioneers, the scene of which was 
laid on the borders of his own beautiful lake. In a 
recent survey of Mr. Cooper's works, by one of his ad- 
mirers, it is intimated that the reputation of this work 



248 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

may have been in some degree factitious. I can not 
think so ; I can not see liow such a work could fViil of 
becoming, sooner or later, a favorite. It was several 
years after its first appearance that I read the Pioneers, 
and I read it with a delighted astonishment. Here, 
said I to myself, is the poet of rural life in this coun- 
try — our Hesiod, our Theocritus, except that he writes 
without the restraint of numbers, and is a greater poet 
than they. In the Pioneers, as in a moving picture, 
are made to pass before us the hardy occupations and 
spirited amusements of a prosperous settlement, in a 
fertile region, encompassed for leagues around with the 
primeval wilderness of woods. The seasons in their dif- 
ferent aspects, bringing with them their different em- 
ployments ; forests falling before the axe; the cheerful 
population, with the first mild day of spring, engaged 
in the suu'ar-orchards ; the chase of the deer through the 
deep woods, and into the lake ; turkey-shooting, during 
the Christmas holidays, in which the Indian marksman 
vied for the prize of skill with the white man ; swift 
sleigh rides under the bright winter sun, and perilous 
encounters with wild animals in the forests : these, and 
other scenes of rural life, drawn, as Cooper knew how 
to draw them, in the bright and healthful coloring of 
which he was master, are interwoven with a reuular 
narrative of human fortunes, not unskillfully construct- 
ed ; and how could such a work be otherwise than 
]3opular ? 

In the Pioneers, Leatherstocking is first introduced — 
a philosopher of the woods, ignorant of books, but in- 
structed in all that nature, without the aid of science, 
could reveal to the man of quick senses and inquiring 
intellect, whose life has been passed under the open sky, 
and in companionship with a race whose animal percep- 
tions are the acutest and most cultivated of which there 
is any example. But Leatherstocking has higher quali- 
ties ; in him there is a genial blending of the gentlest 
virtues of the civilized man with the better nature of 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 249 

the aboriginal tribes ; all that in them is noble, gener- 
ous, and ideal, is adopted into h"s own kindly charac- 
ter, and all that is evil is rejected. But why should I 
attempt to analyze a character so familiar ? Leather- 
stocking is acknowledged, on all hands, to be one of the 
noblest, as well as most striking and original creations 
of fiction. In some of his subsequent novels, Cooper — 
for he had not yet attained to the full maturity of his 
powers — heightened and ennobled his first conception 
of the character, but in the Pioneers it dazzled the 
world with the splendor of novelty. 

His next work was the Pilot, in which he showed 
how, from the vicissitudes of a life at sea, its perils and 
escapes, from the beauty and terrors of the great deep, 
from the working of a vessel on a long voyage, and from 
the frank, brave and generous, but peculiar character 
of the seaman, may be drawn materials of romance by 
which the minds of men may be as deeply moved as by 
any thing in the power of romance to present. In this 
walk, Cooper has had many disciples, but no rival, lill 
who have since written romances of the sea have been 
but travelers in a country of which he was the great 
discoverer, and none of them all seemed to have loved 
a ship as Cooper loved it, nor have been able so strongly 
to interest all classes of readers in its fortunes. Amono: 
other personages drawn with great strength in the Pi- 
lot, is the general favorite, Tom Cofiin, the thorough 
seaman, with all the virtues, and one or two of the in- 
firmities of his profession, superstitious, as seamen are 
apt to be, yet whose superstitions strike us as but an 
irregular growth of his devout recognition of the Power 
who holds the ocean in the hollow of his hand ; true- 
hearted, gentle, full of resources, collected in danger, 
and at last calmly perishing at the post of duty, with 
the vessel he has long guided, by what I may call a 
great and magnanimous death. His rougher and 
coarser companion, Bolthorpe, is drawn with scarcely 
less skill, and with a no less vigorous hand. 



250 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

The Pioneers^ is not Cooper's best tale of tlie Ameri- 
can forest, nor the Pilot^ perhaps, in all respects, his 
best tale of the sea; yet, if he had ceased to write here, 
the measure of his fame would, possibly, have been 
scarcely less ample than it now is. Neither of them is 
far below the best of his productions, and in them ap- 
pear the two most remarkable cre3tions of his imagi- 
nation — two of the most remarkable characters in all 
fiction. 

It was about this time that my acquaintance with 
Cooper began, an acquaintance of more than a quarter 
of a century, in which his deportment toward me was 
that of unvaried kindness. He then resided a consider- 
able part of the year in this city, and here he had found- 
ed a weekly club, to which many of the most distin- 
guished men of the place belonged. Of the members 
who have since passed away, were Chancellor Kent, 
the jurist; Wiley, the intelligent and liberal bookseller; 
Henry D. Sedgwick, always active in schemes of bene- 
volence ; Jarvis, the painter, a man of infinite humor, 
w^hose jests awoke inextinguishable laughter; I)e Kay, 
the naturalist; Sands, the poet; Jacob Harvey, whose 
genial memory is cherished by many friends. Of those 
who are yet living, was Morse, the inventor of the elec- 
tric telegraph ; Durand, then one of the first of engrav- 
ers, and now no less illustrious as a painter; Henry 
James Anderson, whose acquirements might awaken 
the envy of the ripest scholars of the old world ; Hal- 
leck, the poet and wit; Verplanck, who has given the 
world the best edition of Shakspeare for general read- 
ers ; Dr. King, now at the head of Columbia college, 
and his two immediate predecessors in that office. I 
might enlarge the list with many other names of no less 
distinction. The army and navy contributed their pro- 
portion of members, whose names are on record in our 
national history. Cooper when in town was always 
present, and I remember being struck with the inex- 
haustible vivacity of his conversation and the minute- 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 251 

ness of liis knowledge in every thing which depended 
upon acuteness of observation and exactness of recollec- 
tion. I remember, too, being somewhat startled, coming 
as I did from the seclusion of a country life, with a cer- 
tain emphatic frankness in his manner, which, however, 
I came at last to like and to admire. The club met in 
the hotel called Washington Hall, the site of which is 
now occupied, by part of the circuit of Stewart's marble 
buildino-. 

Lionel Lincoln^ which can not be ranked among the 
successful productions of Cooper, was published in 
1825 ; and in the year following appeared the Last 
of the jUohicans, which more than recovered the 
ground lost by its predecessor. In this work the con- 
struction of the narrative has signal defects, but it is 
one of the triumphs of the author's genius that he 
makes us unconscious of them While we read. It is 
only when we have had time to awake from the intense 
interest in which he has held us by the vivid reality of 
his narrative, and have begun to search for faults in 
cold blood, that we are able to find them. In the Last 
of the Mohicans we have a bolder portraiture of Leather- 
stockinc: than in the Pioneers. 

This work was published in 1826. and in the same 
year Cooper sailed with his family for Europe. He left 
New York as one of the vessels of war, described in his 
romances of the 3ea, goes out of port, amid the thunder 
of a parting salute from the big guns on the batter- 
ies. A dinner was given him just before his departure, 
attended by most of the distinguished men of the city, 
at which Peter A. Jay presided, and Dr. King addressed 
him in terms which some then thought tooglowino-^ but 
which would now seem sufficiently temperate, express- 
ing the good wishes of his friends, and dwelling on the 
satisfaction they promised themselves in possessino- so 
illustrious a representative of American literature in the 
old world. Cooper was scarcely in France when he re- 
membered his friends of the weekly club, and sent fre- 



252 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

quent missives to be read at its meetings ; but the club 
missed its founder, went into a decline, and not long 
afterward quietly expired. 

The first of Cooper's novels published after leaving 
America was the Prairie . which appeared early in 1827, 
a work with the admirers of which I wholly agree. I 
read it with a certain awe, an undefined sense of sublim- 
ity, such as one experiences on entering fc^r the first time 
upon these immense grassy deserts from which the work 
takes its name. The squatter and his family — that 
brawny old man and his large-limbed sons, living in a 
sort of primitive and patriarchal barbarism, sluggish on 
ordinary occasions but terrible when roused, like the 
hurricane that sweeps the grand but monotonous wil- 
derness in which they dwell — seem a natural growth of 
those ancient fields of the West. Leatherstocking, a 
hunter in the Pioneer^, a warrior in the Lijtst of the Mo- 
hicans, and now, in his extreme old age, a trapper on 
the prairie, declined in strength, butundeeayed in intel- 
lect, and looking to the near close of his life and a grave 
under the long grass as calmly as the laborer at sunset 
looks to his evening slumber, is no less.in harmony with 
the silent desert in which he wanders. Equally so are 
the Indians, still his companions, copies of the American 
savage somewhat idealized, but not the less apart of the 
wild nature in which they have their haunts. 

Before the year closed. Cooper had given the world 
another nautical tale, the Re(J Rover, which with many 
is a greater favorite than the Pilot, and with reason, 
perhaps, if we consider principally the incidents, which 
are conducted and described with a greater mastery over 
the springs of pity and terror. 

It happened to Cooper while he was abroad, as it not 
nnfrequently happens to our countrymen, to hear the 
United States disadvantageously compared with Europe. 
He had himself been a close observer of things, both 
here and in the old world, and was conscious of being 
able to refute the detractors of his country in regard to 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 253 

many points. He publislied in 1828, after lie had been 
two years in Europe, a series of letters entitled Notions 
of the Ameincans htj a Travellny Baclielor^ in which 
he gave a favorable account of the working of our insti- 
tutions, and vindicated his country from various flippant 
and ill-natured misrepresentations of foreigners. It is 
rather too measured in style, but is written from a mind 
full of the subject, and from a memory wonderfully 
stored with particulars. Although twenty-four years 
have elapsed since its publication, but little of the vindi- 
cation has become obsolete. 

Cooper loved his country and was proud of her his- 
tory and her institutions, but it puzzles many that he- 
should have appeared, at different times, as her eulogist 
and her censor. My friends, she is worthy both of 
praise and of blame, and Cooper was not the man tO' 
shrink from bestowing either, at what seemed to him 
the proper time. He defended her from detractors 
abroad ; he sought to save her from flatterers at home.. 
I will«ot say that he was in as good humor with his 
countrv when he wrote Home as Found, as when he 
wrote his Amotions of the Ame7'icans, but this I will say, 
that whether he commended or censured, he did it in. 
the sincerity of his heart as a true American, and in= 
the belief that it would do good. His Notions of the 
Amo'icans were more likely to lessen than to increase 
his popularity in Europe, inasmuch as they were put 
forth without the slightest regard to European j^reju- 
dices. 

In 1829 he brought out the novel entitled the Wept of 
Wish-ton- Wish, one of the few of his works which we 
now rarely hear mentioned. He was engaged in the- 
composition of a third nautical tale, which he afterward 
published under the name of the Water- Witch, when the 
memorable revolution of the Three Days of July broke 
out. He saw a government ruling by fear and in defi- 
ance of public opinion, overthrown in a few hours with 
little bloodshed ; he saw the French nation, far from 

22 



254 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

being intoxicated with their new liberty, peacefully ad- 
dressing themselves to the discussion of the institutions 
under which they were to live. A Vork which Cooper 
afterward published, his Residence in Europe, gives the 
outline of a plan of government for France, furnished 
by him at that time to La Fayette, with whom he was 
then on habits of close and daily intimacy. It was his 
idea to give permanence to the new order of things by 
associating two strong parties in its support, the friends 
of legitimacy and the republicans. He suggested that 
Henry V should be called to the hereditary throne of 
France, a youth yet to be educated as the head of a free 
people, that the peerage should be abolished, and a legis- 
lature of two chambers established, with a constituency 
of at least a million and a half of electors ; the senate to 
be chosen by the general vote as the representatives of 
the entire nation, and the members of the other house 
to be chosen by districts as the representatives of the 
local interests. To the middle ground of politics so 
ostentatiously occupied by Louis Philippe at flie be- 
ginning of his reign, he predicted a brief duration, be- 
lieving that it would speedily be merged in despotism or 
supplanted by the popular rule. His prophecy has been 
fulfilled more amply than he could have imagined — ful- 
filled in both its alternatives. 

In one of the controversies of that time Cooper bore a 
distinguished part. The Revue Britanniqne, a period- 
ical published in Paris, boldly affirmed the government 
of the United States to be one of the most expensive in 
the world, and its people among the most heavily taxed 
of mankind. This assertion was supported with a cer- 
tain show of proof, and the writer affected to have es- 
tablished the conclusion that a republic must necessarily 
be more expensive than a monarchy. The partisans of 
the court were delighted with the reasonino- of the arti- 
cle, and claimed a triumph over our ancient friend La 
Fayette, who, during forty.years had not ceased to hold 
up the government of the United States as the cheapest 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 255 

in the world. At the suggestion of La Fayette, Cooper 
replied to thisattack upon his country, in a letter which 
was translated into French, and together with another 
from General Bertrand, for many years a resident in 
America, was laid before the people of France. 

These two letters provoked a shower of rejoinders, in 
which, according to Cooper, mis-statements were mingled 
with scurrility. He began a series of letters on the ques- 
tion in dispute, which were published in the National^ 
a daily sheet, and gave the first evidence of that ex- 
traordinary acuteness of controversy, which was no less 
^characteristic of his mind than the vigor of his imagina- 
tion. The enemies of La Fayette pressed into their 
service Mr. Leavitt Harris of New Jersey, afterward 
our charge d'affaires at the court of France, but Cooper 
replied to Mr. Harris in the National of May 2, 1832, 
closing a discussion in which he had effectually silenced 
those who objected to our institutions on the score of 
.econorny. Of these letters, which would form an impor- 
tant chapter in political science, no entire copy, I have 
been told, is to be found in this country. 

One of the consequences of earnest controversy is al- 
most invariably personal ill will. Cooper was told by 
•one who held an official station under the French gov- 
ernment, that -tli£ part he had taken in this dispute con- 
cerning taxation, would neither be forgotten nor for- 
given. The dislike he had incurred in that quarter was 
strengthened by his novel of the Bravo ^ published in 
the year 1831, while he was in the midst of his quarrel 
with the aristocratic party. In that work, of which he 
has himself justly said, that it was thoroughly Ameri- 
can in all that belonged to it, his object was to show 
how institutions professedly created to prevent violence 
and wrong become, when perverted from their original 
design, the instruments of injustice, and how, in every 
system which makes power the exclusive property of the 
strong, the weak are sure to be oppressed. The work is 
written with all the vigor and spirit of his best novels ; 



256 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

the magnificent city of A^enice, in which the scene of 
the story is laid, stands continually before the imagina- 
tion, and from time to time the gorgeous ceremonies of 
the Venetian republic pass under our eyes, such as the 
marriafi-e of the Doi>e with the Adriatic, and the contest 
of the gondolas for the prize of speed. The Bravo him- 
self and several of the other characters are strongly con- 
ceived and distinguished, but the most remarkable of 
them all is the spirited and generous-hearted daughter 
of the jailer. 

It has been said by some critics, who judge of Cooper 
by his failures, that he had no skill in drawing female 
characters. By the same process it might, I suppose, 
be shown that Raphael was but an ordinary painter. It 
must be admitted that when Cooper drew a lady of high 
breeding, he was apt to pay too much attention to the 
formal part of her character, and to make her a mere 
bundle of cold proprieties. But when he places his he- 
roines in some situation in life which leaves him nothing 
to do but to make them natural and true, I know of no- 
thing finer, nothing more attractive or more individual 
than the portraitures he has given us. 

Figaro^ the wittiest of the French periodicals, and at 
that time on the liberal side, commended the Bravo ; 
the journals on the side of the government censured it. 
Figaro afterward passed into the hands of the aristo- 
cratic party, and Cooper became the object of its at- 
tacks. He was not, however, a man to be driven from 
any purpose which he had formed, either by flattery or 
abuse, and both were tried with equal ill success. In 
1832 he published his Heidcnmauer^ and in 1833 his 
Headsman of Berne, both with a political design sim- 
ilar to that of the Bravo, though neither of them takes 
the same hiii:h rank amono- his works. 

In 1833, after a residence of seven years in difi'erent 
parts of Europe, but mostly in France, Cooper returned 
to his native country. The welcome which met him here 
was somewhat chilled by the effect of the attacks made 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 257 

upon liim in France, and remembering with what zeal, 
and at what sacrifice of the universal acceptance which 
his works would otherwise have met, he had maintained 
the cause of his country against the wits and orators of 
the court party in France, we can not wonder that he 
should have felt this coldness as undeserved. He pub- 
lished, shortly after his arrival in this country, A Letter 
to his Countrymen^ in which he complained of the cen- 
sures cast upon him in the American newspapers, gave a 
history of the part he had taken in exposing the mis-state- 
ments of the Revue Britannique^ and warned his coun- 
trymen against the too common error of resorting, with 
a blind deference, to foreign authorities, often swayed by 
national or political prejudices, for our opinions of Amer- 
ican authors. Going beyond this topic, he examined and 
reprehended the habit of applying to the interpretation 
of our own constitution maxims derived from the practice 
of other governments, particularly that of Great Britain. 
The importance of construing that instrument by its own 
principles he illustrated by considering several points 
in dispute between the parties of the day, on which he 
gave very decided opinions. 

The principal effect of this pamphlet, as it seemed to 
me, was to awaken in certain quarters a kind of resent- 
ment that a successful writer of fiction should presume 
to give lessons in politics. I meddle not here with the 
conclusions to which he arrived, though I must be al- 
lowed to say that they were stated and argued with 
great ability. In 1835 Cooper published the Monnikhis^ 
a satirical work, partly with a political aim, and in the 
same year appeared his American Democrat^ a view of 
the civil and social relations of the United States, dis- 
cussing more bravely various topics touched upon in the 
former work, and pointing out in what respects he deem- 
ed the American people in their practice to have fallen 
short, as they undoubtedly have, of the excellence of 
their institutions. 

He found time, however, for a more genial task, that 



258 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

of giving to the world his observations on foreign coun- 
tries. In 1836 appeared his Sketches of Sicitzerkinfl, a 
series of letters in four volumes, the second part pub- 
lished about two months after the first, a delightful work, 
written in a more fluent and flexible style than his No- 
tions of the Americans. The first part of Gleanings in 
Europe.^ giving an account of his residence in France, 
followed in the same year, and the second part of the 
same work containing his observations on England, was 
published in April, 1837. In these works, forming a 
series of eight volumes, he relates and describes with 
much of the same distinctness as in his novels ; and his 
remarks on the manners and institutions of the difi"erent 
countries, often sagacious and always peculiarly his own, 
derive from their frequent reference to contemporary 
events, an historical interest. 

In 1838 appeared Homeward Bound, and Hom,e as 
JPound, two satirical novels, in which Cooper held up to 
ridicule a certain class of conductors of the newspaper 
press in America. These works had not the good for- 
tune to become popular. Cooper did not, and, because 
he was too deeply in earnest, perhaps would not, infuse 
into his satirical works that gayety without whicL satire 
becomes wearisome. I believe, however, that if they 
had been written by any body else they would have met 
with more favor ; but the world knew that Cooper was 
able to give them something better, and would not be 
satisfied with anything short of his best. Some child- 
ishly imagined that because, in the two works I have 
nist mentioned, a newspaper editor is introduced, in 
whose character almost every possible vice of his pro- 
fession is made to find a place. Cooper intended an in- 
discriminate attack upon the whole body of writers for 
the newspaper press, forgetting that such a portraiture 
was a satire only on those to whom it bore a likeness. 
We have become less sensitive and more reasonable of 
late, and the monthly periodicals make sport for their 
readers of the follies and ignorance of' the newspaper 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 259 

editors, without awakening the slightest resentment ; 
but Cooper led the way in this sort of discipline, and I 
remember some instances of towerini;- indignation at his 
audacity expressed in the journals of that time. 

The next year Cooper made his appearance before the 
public in a new department of writing; his Naval His- 
toric of the United States was brought out in two octavo 
volumes at Philadelphia, by Carey & Lea. In writing 
his stories of the sea, his attention had been much 
turned to this subject, and his mind filled with striking- 
incidents from expeditions and battles in which our 
naval commanders had been eno-ao-ed. This made his 
task the lighter, but he gathered his materials with 
great industry, and with a conscientious attention to 
exactness, for he was not a man to take a fact for grant- 
ed, or allow imagination to usurp the place of inquiry. 
He digested our naval annals into a narrative, written 
with spirit, it is true, but with that air of sincere deal- 
ing which the reader willingly takes as a pledge of its 
authenticity. 

An abridgment of the work was afterward prepared 
and published by the author. The Edinhimjh Review^ 
in an article professing to examine the statements both 
of Cooper's work and of The History of the English 
JVavf/, written by Mr. James, a surgeon by profession, 
made a violent attack upon the American historian. 
Unfortunately, it took James's narrative as its sole 
guide, and followed it implicitly. Cooper replied in the 
Democratic Revieiv for January, 1840, and by a mas- 
terly analysis of his statements, convicting James of 
self-contradiction in almost every particular in which he 
differed from himself, refuted both James and the re- 
viewer. It was a refutation vdiich admitted of no re- 
joinder. 

Scarce any thing in Cooper's life was so remarkable, 
or so strikingly illustrated his character, as his contest 
with the newspaper press. He engaged in it after pro- 
vocations, many and long endured, and prosecuted it 



260 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

tlirongh years with great energy, perseverance, and 
practical dexterity, till he was left master of the field. 
In what I am about to say of it, I hope I shall not give 
offence to any one, as I shall speak without the slightest 
malevolence toward those with whom he waged this 
controversy. Over some of them, as over their re- 
nowned adversary, the grave has now closed. Yet 
where shall the truth be spoken, if not beside the 
grave ? 

I have already alluded to the principal causes which 
provoked the newspaper attacks upon Cooper. If he 
had never meddled with questions of government on 
either side of the Atlantic, and never satirized the news- 
paper press, I have little doubt that he would have been 
spared these attacks. 1 can not, however, ascribe them 
all, or even the greater part of them, either to party or 
to personal malignity. One journal followed the exam- 
ple of another, with little reflection, I think, in most 
cases, till it became a sort of fashion, not merely to 
decry his works, but to arraign his motives. 

It is related that, in 1832, while he was at Paris, an 
article was shown him in an American newspaper, pur- 
porting to be a criticism on one of his works, but re- 
flecting with much asperity on his personal character. 
" I care nothing," he is reported to have said, '' for the 
criticism, but I am not indifferent to the slander. If 
these attacks on my character should be kept up five 
years after my return to America, I shall resort to the 
New York courts for protection." He gave the news- 
paper press of this state the full period of forbearance 
on which he had fixed, but finding'- that . forbearance 
seemed to encourage assault, he sought redress in the 
courts of law. 

When these litigations were first begun, I recollect it 
seemed to me that Cooper had taken a step which Avould 
give him a great deal of trouble, and effect but little 
good. I said to myself — 

" Alas 1 Leviathan is not so tamed I" 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 261 

As he proceeded, however, I saw that he had under- 
stood the matter better than I. He put a hook into the 
nose of this huge monster, wallowing in his inky pool 
and bespattering the passers by ; he dragged him to the 
land and made him tractable. One suit followed an- 
other ; one editor was sued, I think, half-a-dozen times ; 
some of them found themselves under a second indict- 
ment before the first was tried. In vindicating himself 
to his readers, against the charge of publishing one libel 
the angry journalist often floundered into another. The 
occasions of these prosecutions seem to have been always 
carefully considered, for Cooper was almost uniformly 
successful in obtaining verdicts. In a letter of his, 
written in February, 1843, about five years, I think, 
from the commencement of the first prosecutions, he 
says, " I have beaten every man I have sued, who has 
not retracted his libels." 

In one of these suits, commenced against the late 
William L. Stone of the Commercial Advertiser^ and 
referred to the arbitration of three distinguished law- 
yers, he argued himself the question of the authenticity 
of his account of the battle of Lake Erie, which was 
the matter in dispute. I listened to his opening ; it 
was clear, skillful and persuasive, but his closing argu- 
ment was said to be splendidly eloquent. " I have heard 
nothing like it," said a barrister to me, "since the days 
of Emmet." 

Cooper behaved liberally towards his antagonists, so 
far as pecuniary damages were concerned, though some 
of them wholly escaped their payment by bankruptcy. 
After, I believe, about six years of litigation, the news- 
paper press gradually subsided into a pacific disposition 
towards its adversary, and the contest closed with the 
account of pecuniary profit and loss, so far as he was 
concerned, nearly balanced. The occasion of these 
suits was far from honorable to those who provoked 
them, but the result was, I had almost said, creditable to 
all parties ; to him, as the courageous prosecutor, to the 



262 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

administration of justice in this country, and to the do- 
cility of the newspaper press, which he had disciplined 
iiito good manners. 

It was while he was in the midst of these litio'ations 
that he published, in 1840, the Pathfinder. People had 
begun to think of him as a <30utroversialist, acute, keen 
and persevering, occupied with his personal wrongs and 
schemes of attack and defence. They were startled from 
this estimate of his character by the moral beauty^ of that 
glorious work — I must so call it ; by the vividness aiad 
force of its delineations, by the unspoiled love of nature 
apparent in every page, and by the fresh and warm 
emotions which everywhere gave life to the narrative 
and the dialogue. Cooper was now in his fifty-first year, 
but nothing which he had produced in the earlier part of 
his literary life was written with so much of what might 
seem the generous fervor of youth, or showed the faculty 
of invention in higher vigor. I recollect that near the 
time of its appearance I was informed of an observation 
made upon it by one highly distinguished in the litera- 
ture of our country and of the age, between whom and 
the author an unhappy coolness had for some years ex- 
isted. As he finished the reading of the Patlifinder. he 
exclaimed, •• They may say what they will of Cooper, 
the man who wrote this book is not only a great man, 
but a good man." 

The readers of the Pat^t finder were quickly reconciled 
to the fourth appearance of Leatherstocking, when they 
saw him made to act a different part from any wliich 
the author had hitherto assigned him — when they saw 
him shown as a lover, and placed in the midst of asso- 
ciations which invested his character with a hig-her and 
more affecting heroism. In this work are two female 
characters, portrayed in a masterly manner — the corpo- 
ral's daughter, Mabel Dunham, generous, resolute, yet 
womanly, and the young Indian woman, called by her 
tribe the Dew of June, a personification of female truth, 
afi"ection and sympathy, with a strong aboriginal cast, 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 263 

yet a product of nature as bright and pure as that from 
which she is named. 

Alercedes of Castile^ published near the close of the 
same year, has none of the stronger characteristics of 
Cooper's genius; but in the Dcerslayer^ which appeared 
in 1841, another of his Leatherstocking tales, he gave 
us a work rivaling the Pathjinder. Leatherstock- 
ing is brought before us in his early youth, in the first 
exercise of that keen sagacity which is blended so har- 
moniously with a simple and ingenious goodness. The 
two daughters of the retired freebooter dwellino' on the 
Otsego lake, inspire scarcely less interest than the prin- 
cipal personage ; Judith, in the pride of her beauty and 
intellect, her good impulses contending with a fatal love 
of admiration, holding us fascinated with a constant in- 
terest in her fate, which with consummate skill, we are 
permitted rather to conjecture than to know; and Hetty 
scarcely less beautiful in person, weak-minded, but wise 
in the midst of that weakness beyond the wisdom of the 
loftiest intellect, through the power of conscience and 
religion. The character of Hetty would have been a 
hazardous experiment in feebler hands, but in his it was 
admirably successful. 

The Two Admirals and Wmg-atid- Wing were given 
to the public in 1842, both of them taking a high rank 
among Cooper's sea-tales. The first of these is a sort of 
naval epic in prose ; the flight and chase of armed vessels 
hold us in breathless suspense, and the sea-fights are 
described with a terrible power. In the later sea- tales 
of Cooper, it seems to me that the mastery with which 
he makes his grand processions of events pass before the 
mind' s eye is even greater than in his earlier. The 
next year he published the Wyandotte or Hutted Knoll ^ 
one of his beautiful romances of the woods, and in 1844 
two more of his sea-stories, Afloat and Ashore and Miles 
Walling ford its sequel. The long series of his nautical 
tales was closed by Jack Tier or the Florida Reef, pub- 
lished in 1848, when Cooper was in his sixtieth year, and 



2G4 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

it is as full of spirit, energy, invention, life-like pre- 
sentation of objects and events — 

The vision and the faculty divine — 

as anything he had written. 

Let nie pause here to say that Cooper, though not a 
manufacturer of verse, was in the highest sense of the 
word a poet ; his imagination wrought nobly and grandly, 
and imposed its creations on the mind of the reader for 
realities. With him there was no withering or decline, 
or disuse of the poetic faculty : as he stepped downward 
from the zenith of life, no shadow or chill came over 
it; it was like the year of some genial climates, a per- 
petual season of verdure, bloom and fruitfulness. As 
these works came out, I was rejoiced to see that he was 
unspoiled by the controversies in which he had allowed 
himself to become engaged; that they had not given, to 
these better expressions of his genius, any tinge of mis- 
anthropy, or appearance of contracting and closing sym- 
pathies, any trace of an interest in his fellow-beings less 
large and free than his earlier works. 

Before the appearance of his Jack Tier^ Cooper pub- 
lished, in 1845 and the following year, a series of novels 
relating to the Anti-rent question, in which he took great 
interest. He thought that the disposition manifested in 
certain quarters to make concessions to what he deemed 
a denial to the rights of property, was a first step in a 
most dangerous path. To discourage this disposition, 
he wrote Satanstoe^ The Chainhearer and The Redb-kuia. 
They are didactic in their design, and want the free- 
dom of invention which belong to Cooper's best novels ; 
but if they had been written by anybody but Cooper — 
by a member of Congress, for example, or any eminent 
politician of any class — they would have made his repu- 
tation. It was said, I am told, by a distinguished jurist 
of our state, that they entitled the author to as high a 
place in law as his other works had won for him in lite- 
rature. 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 265 

In 1848 Cooper published his novel entitled Oak 
Openings, or the Bee-Hunter. This work bears many 
traces of the author's fondness for discussion. He often 
pauses in his narrative briefly to reprehend some pre- 
vailing error, to refute some groundless boast of his 
countrymen or some attack made upon them by foreign- 
ers ; to settle some point of theology, or even to set his 
readers right on some question of orthoepy or of the 
use of language, The scene is laid in the park-like 
groves of Michigan, where a Pennsylvanian, whose oc- 
cupation is that of a bee-hunter, has fixed his solitary 
summer residence, and astonishes the savages who oc- 
casionally visit him by the exhibition of his craft. The 
bee-hunter has many qualities that interest us ; he is 
brave and generous by nature, wary by experience, 
calm in danger, full of resources, and the gentlest and 
best-mannered man that ever followed his solitary call- 
ing. A personage performing an equally important part 
in the story, and marked by still stronger characteristics, 
is the Indian who has acquired the surname of Scalping 
Peter, a powerfully drawn impersonation of the art and 
dissimulation ascribed to the American savage. To- 
ward the close of the narrative Peter is won over to 
Christianity by the moral beauty of a prayer made by a 
simple-hearted iMethodist missionary, who, at the very 
moment that they are about to take his life, fervently 
implores the mercy of God for his remorseless enemies. 
The various expedients of a bee-hunter's life, the dan- 
gers of the wilderness, full of lurking savages bent on 
hostile designs, the stealthy flight of a small party of 
white people, and the equally stealthy pursuit of the 
aborigines, furnish matter for a narrative of a most pain- 
ful interest. There is great art shown in complicating 
the difficulties which beset the hero of the story, in 
prolonging the pauses of suspense, and in devising the 
means by which he is extricated. The other characters 
of the novel are well distinguished from each other, and 
among them Margery is one of Cooper's better class of 

23 



266 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

female portraits — full of gentleness, sweetness, and native 

dignity. 

I had thought, in meditating the plan of this discourse, 
to mention all the works of Mr. Cooper, but the length 
to which I have found it extending has induced me to 
pass over several written in the last ten years of his life, 
and to confine myself to those which best illustrate his 
literary character. The last of his novels was the Wgt/s 
of the How, a work in which the objections he enter- 
tained to the trial by jury in civil causes were stated in 
the form of a narrative. 

It is a voluminous catalogue — that of Cooper's pub- 
lished works — but it comprises not all he wrote. He 
committed to the fire, without remorse, many of the 
fruits of his literary industry. It was understood some 
years since, that he had a work ready for the press on 
the Middle States of the Union ^ principally illustrative 
of their social history ; but it has not been found among 
his manuscripts, and the presumption is that he must 
have destroyed it. He had planned a work on the Towns 
of Manhattan^ for the publication of which he made 
arrangements with Mr. Putnam of this city, and a part 
of which, already written, was in press at the time of 
his death. The printed part has since been destroyed 
by fire, but a portion of the manuscript was recovered. 
The work, I learn, will be completed by one of the fam- 
ily, who, within a few years past, has earned an honor- 
able name among the authors of our country. Great 
as was the number of his works, and great as was the 
favor with which they were received, the pecuniary re- 
wards of his success were far less than has been gener- 
ally supposed — scarcely, as I am informed, a tenth part 
of what the common rumor made them. His fame 
was infinitely the largest acknowledgment which this 
most successful of American authors received for his 
labors. 

The Ways of the Hour appeared in 1850. At this 
time his personal appearance was remarkable. He 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. ' 267 

seemed in perfect health and in the highest energy and 
activity of his faculties. I have scarcely seen any man 
at that period of life on whom his years sat more lightly. 
His conversation had lost none of its liveliness, though 
it seemed somewhat more gentle and forbearing in tone, 
and his spirits none of their elasticity. He was contem- 
plating, I have since been told, another Leatherstocking 
tale, deeming that he had not yet exhausted the charac- 
ter, and those who consider what new resources it yielded 
him in the Pathfinder and the Deerslayer^ will readily 
conclude that he was not mistaken. 

The disease, however, by which he was removed was 
even then impending over him, and not long afterward 
his friends here were grieved to learn that his health 
was declining. He came to New York so changed that 
they looked at him with sorrow, and after a stay of some 
weeks, partly for the benefit of medical advice, returned 
to Cooperstown, to leave it no more. His complaint 
gradually gained strength, subdued a constitution origi- 
nally robust, and finally passed into a confirmed dropsy. 
In August, 1851, he was visited by his excellent and 
learned friend. Dr. Francis, a member of the weekly 
club which he had founded in the early part of his lite- 
rary career. He found him bearing the sufferings of his 
disease with manly firmness, gave him such medical 
counsels as the malady appeared to require, prepared 
him delicately for its fatal termination, and returned to 
New York with the most melancholy anticipations. In 
a few days afterwards Cooper expired, amid the deep 
affliction of his family, on the 14th of September, the 
day before that on which he should have completed his 
sixty-second year. He died apparently without pain, in 
peace and religious hope. The relations of man to his 
Maker and to that state of being for which the present 
is but a preparation, had occupied much of his thoughts 
during his whole lifetime, and he crossed with a serene 
composure, the mysterious boundary which divides this 
life from the next. 

The departure of such a man in the full strength of 



268 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

his faculties — on whom the country had for thirty years 
looked as one of the permanent ornaments of its litera- 
ture, and whose name had been so often associated with 
praise, with renown, with controversy, with blame, but 
never witii death — diffused a universal awe. It was as 
if an earthquake had shaken the ground on which we 
stood, and showed the grave opening by our path. In 
the general grief for his loss, his virtues only were re- 
membered, and his failings forgotten. 

Of his failings I have said little ; such as he had were 
obvious to all the world ; they lay on the surface of his 
character ; those who knew him least made the most ac- 
count of them. With a character so made up of positive 
^qualities — a character so independent and uncompromis- 
ing, and with a sensitiveness far more acute than he was 
willing to acknowledge, it is not surprising that occa- 
sions frequently arose to bring him into friendly collision 
and sometimes into graver disagreements and misunder- 
standings with his fellow-men. For his infirmities, his 
friends found an ample counterpoise in the generous sin- 
cerity of his nature. He never thought of disguising 
his Gjjinions, and he abhorred all disguise in others ) he 
did iBot even deign to use that show of regard toward 
Ihose of whom he did not think well, which the world 
-tolerates and almost demands. A manly expression of 
opinion, however different from his own, commanded his 
resj>ect. Of his own works he spoke with the same free- 
dom as of the works of others; and never hesitated to 
express his judgment of a book for the reason that it 
was written by himself; yet he could bear with gentle- 
ness any dissent from the estimate he placed on his own 
writings. His character was lik-e the bark of the cinna- 
mon, a rough and astringent rind without and an intense 
sweetness within. Those who i>enetrated below the sur- 
face found a genial temper, warm affections, and a heart 
with ample place for his friends, their pursuits, their 
good name, their welfare. 'They found him a philan- 
thropist, though not precisely after the fashion of the 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 269 

day ; a religious man, most devout wliere devotion is 
most apt to be a feeling rather than a custom, in the 
household circle ; hospitable, and to the extent of his 
means, liberal-handed in acts of charity. They found, 
also, that though in general he would as soon have 
thought of giving up an old friend as of giving up an 
opinion, he was not proof against testimony, and could 
part with a mistaken opinion as one parts with an old 
friend who has been proved faithless and unworthy. In 
short, Cooper was one of those who, to be loved, must 
be intimately known. 

Of his literary character I have spoken largely in the 
narrative of his life, but there are yet one or two re- 
marks which must be made to do it justice. In that 
way of writing in which he excelled, it seems to mo 
that he united, in a preeminent degree, those qualities 
which enabled him to interest the largest number of 
readers. He wrote not for the fastidious, the over-re- 
fined, the morbidly delicate ; for these find in his genius 
something too robust for their liking — something by 
which their sensibilities are too rudely shaken ; but he 
wrote for mankind at large — for men and women in the 
ordinary healthful state of feeling — and in their admira- 
tion he found his reward. It is for this class that pub- 
lic libraries are obliged to provide themselves with an 
extraordinary number of copies of his works : the num- 
ber in the Mercantile library, in this city, I am told, is 
forty. Hence it is, that he has earned a fame, wider, I 
think, than any author of modern times — wider, cer- 
tainly, than any author, of any age, ever enjoyed in his 
lifetime. All his excellencies are translatable — they 
pass readily into languages the least allied in their ge- 
nius to that in which he wrote, and in them he touches 
the heart and kindles the imagination with the same 
power as in the original English. 

Cooper was not wholly without humor ; it is some-j 
times found lurking in the dialogue of Harvey Birch, 
and of Leatherstocking ; but it forms no considerable 



270 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

element in his works ; and if it did, it would have stood 
in the way of his universal popularity, since, of all 
qualities, it is the most difficult to transfuse into a 
foreign language. Nor did the effect he produced upon 
the reader depend on any grace of style which would 
escape a translator of ordinary skill. With his style, 
it is true, he took great pains, and in his earlier works, 
I am told, sometimes altered the proofs sent from the 
printer so largely that they might be said to be written 
over. Yet he attained no special felicity, variety, or 
compass of expression. His style, however, answered 
his purpose ; it has defects, but it is manly and clear, 
and stamps on the mind of the reader the impression he 
desired to convey. I am not sure that some of the very 
defects of Cooper's novels do not add, by a certain force 
of contrast, to their power over the mind. He is long 
in getting at the interest of his narrative. The progress 
of the plot, at first, is like that of one of his own vessels 
of war, slowly, heavily, and even awkwardly working 
out of a harbor. We are impatient and weary, but when 
the vessel is once in the ojien sea, and feels the free 
breath of heaven in her full sheets, our delight and ad- 
miration are all the greater at the grace, the majesty and 
power with which she divides and bears down the waves, 
and pursues her course, at will, over the great waste of 
waters. 

Such are the works so widely read, and so universally 
admired, in all the zones of the globe, and by men of 
every kindred and every tongue ; works which have 
made of those who dwell in remote latitudes, wanderers 
in our forests, and observers of our manners, and have 
inspired them with an interest in our history. A gen- 
tleman who had returned from Europe just before the 
death of Cooper, was asked what he found the people of 
the continent doing. " They are all reading Cooper," 
he answered ; "in the little kingdom of Holland, with 
its three millions of inhabitants^ I looked into four dif- 
ferent translations of Cooper in the language of the 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 271 

country." A traveler, who has seen much of the mid- 
dle classes of Italy, lately said to me, "I have found 
that all they knew of America, and that was not little, 
they had learned from Cooper's novels ; from him they 
had learned the story of American liberty, and through 
him they had been introduced to our Washington ; they 
had read his works till the shores of the Hudson and 
the valleys of Westchester, and the banks of Otsego 
lake had become to them familiar ground." 

Over all the countries into whose speech this great 
man's works have been rendered by the labors of their 
scholars, the sorrow of that loss which we deplore is 
now diffusing itself. Here we lament the ornament of 
our country, there they mourn the death of him who 
delighted the human race. Even now, while I speak, 
the pulse of grief which is passing through the nations 
has haply just reached some remote neighborhood; the 
news of his death has been brought to some dwelling on 
the slopes of the Andes, or amidst the snowy wastes of 
the north, and the dark-eyed damsel of Chile, or the 
fair-haired maid of Norway, is sad to think that he 
whose stories of heroism and true love have so often 
kept her for hours from her pillow, lives no more. 

He is gone ! but the creations of his genius, fixed in 
living words, survive the frail material organs by which 
the words were first traced. They partake of a middle 
nature, between the deathless mind and the decaying 
body of which they are the common offspring, and are, 
therefore, destined to a duration, if not eternal, yet in- 
definite. The examples he has given in his glorious 
fictions, of heroism, honor and truth, of large sympathies 
between man and man, of all that is good, great and ex- 
cellent, embodied in personages marked with so strong 
an individuality that we place them among our friends 
and favorites ; his frank and generous men, his gentle 
and noble women, shall live through centuries to come, 
and only perish with our language. I have said with 
our language ; but who shall say when it may be the 



272 HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 

fate of the English language to be numbered with the 
extinct forms of human speech ? Who shall declare 
which of the present tongues of the civilized world will 
survive its fellows ? It may be that some one of them, 
more forrunate than the rest, will long outlast them, in 
some undisturbed quarter of the globe, and in the midst 
of a new civilization. The creations of Cooper's genius, 
even now transferred to that language, may remain to 
be the delight of the nations through another great 
cycle of centuries, beginning after the English language 
and its contemporaneous form of civilization shall have 
passed away. 

COOPER'S MONUMENT 

Washington, New York and Mount Vision were de- 
signated at different times as its location. An associa- 
tion, formed in New York, March 25th, 1852, of his 
literary friends, had in their possession $1000 for a 
monument of him, to be erected in one of the public 
squares of that city. The greater part of this money 
was obtained by an association afterwards organized in 
Cooperstown, and this, with the funds raised by the 
latter, secured the erection of the monument now 
standing in Lakewood cemetery, where it overlooks 
the lake, the village, and many points already made 
familiar to a countless number of his readers It is 
located just below the road referred to in the opening 
of the story of the Pioneers, and near the point of the 
panther scene. 

This monument is of white Italian marble, resting 
on a granite base six feet square. The shaft, including 
the base, die and cap from which it rises, is about 25 
feet in height, and is surmounted by a richly carved 
Corinthian capital. The four sides of the die are beau- 
tifully sculptured in bold rejiief; the front with the 
name of Fenimore Cooper, surrounded by a wreath of 
palm and oak branches, the latter with acorns, one fall- 



HISTORY OF COOPERSTOWN. 273 

ing and another fjillen ; the north side, with appropriate 
naval devices, viz : the anchor, oars crossed, command- 
er's sword and spy-glass; the south side, with Indian 
emblems, such as bow and arrows and quiver, lance 
with scalp-locks attached, tomahawk and necklace of 
bear's claws. On the east side are literary emblems, 
books and manuscript, with the student's lamp just ex- 
tinguished, an inkstand, the pen from which has just 
been seized and borne aloft by an eagle. On its capital 
stands the statuette of Leatherstocking;, 4 J feet hish, 
representing him in the act of loading his rifle, and 
gazing intently in the direction of the game, while the 
dog (nearly a full sized hound), by liis side, looks 
anxiously into his master's face, waiting for permission 
to bound away. 

The merit of the entire work is due to Launitz, the 
accomplished sculptor of the city of New York. 



INDEX. 



Academy, Otsego, 39. 

dimensions, 43. 

reputation, &c., 108. 
Academies and other pcliools, 110. 
Agricultural Society, 176. 
Alarm, Indian, 46. 
Anecdotes, 29. 
Apple Hill, 72. 
Arnold, Stephen, 135. 
Averell, James, 35. 
Bank, Otsego County, 70. 
Banks in 1862, 97. 
Bar, members of, 152. 
Bible Society, 118. 
Birth, flrst on the patent, 33. 
Black Hills, 79. 
Boarding houses, 85. 
Bookstore, only one, 58. 
Bowers, John M., 163. 
Boy frozen, 96. 
Brewery, 43. 
Bridge, first, 44. 
Business, 60, 90, 93,97. 
Cabinet. ware manufactory E. & H. 

Cory, 84. 
Campbell family, 153. 
Carey, Col. Riclmrd, 119. 
Carriage, first, 43. 
Casting, iron, 84. 
Celebration ot 1815, peace, 121. 

canal, of 1825, 121. 
Census of 1820, &c., 69. 
Cent Society, 118. 
Changes, 58. 

Charter election, first, 90. 
Charter of 1829, 89. 
Churches, edifices, &c., 50, 52, 53. 
Churches m 1861, 113. 
Clerks, ICO. 

Clinton's encampment, and* dam, 
15, 17. 

[De WittJ letter, 177 
Colden, Cadwallader, 87. 
Commencement of the village, 28. 
Congressmen, 58. 
Conveyance of land from Indians 

and others, 12, 18. 
Cooper, Miss Hannah, 194. 

James Fenimore: 

his infancy, boyhood, teach. 

ers, 196. 
foot race, 197. 



Cooper, James Fenimore : 
marriage, 198. 
agricuUural address, 199. 
N. Y. residence, 201. 
habits, 203. 

"awful lecture," &c , 204. 
love of the humorous, 205. 
Mled He, 205. 
home life, by Thoa. Clarke, 

207. 
life, habits, &c., by G. P. 

Keese, 209. 
plea for Ireland, 2M. 
personal traits, libel suite, 

&c., 217. 
works, 219. 
illness, 221. 
death, 224. 
grave, will, 226. 
meeting at City Hall, N. Y. , 
227. 

at Metropolitan Hall, 236. 
monument, 272. 
Capt. P. P., 127. 
Richard Fenimore's death, 61. 
Mrs. William, 193. 
Cooper's (William) first visit, 13. 
settlement, 23. 
family brought, 30. 
journey in 1795, 48. 
election, 42. 

life, anecdotes, death, &c., 189. 
children, 193. 
Cooperetown, growth, buildings, &c. 

55. 
Coroners, first, 96. 
Corporation, limits of, 90. 
Cory, Oliver, 3.', 108. 
Countj', buildings, &o., 96. 

formed. Court House, &c.. 31. 
Court House, new, 59. 
Darby, David, 145. 
Death, first adult, 28. 
Devrey, Joshua, 108. 
Discoverj', flrst, 87. 
Dix, John A., 73, 90. 
Drowning, 68. 
Ebbal, 29. 
Echo, 122. 
Education, lOS. 
Electorn, 45. 
Elephant, first, 120. 



276 



INDEX. 



Ellison, 24. 

Eminent men, 84. 

Engine presented, 60. 

Epiacopal Bervice, first, 48. 

Ernst, Rev. Jolin F., 4'9. 

Exhibitions, Mr. Cory's, 41. 

Families, long resident, 70. 

Females, 82, 84. 

Fires, 43, 64, OS, 154. 

Firms, mercantile, 83. 

Fish, 28, 47, 78, 1^5. 

Fox, James L., M. D., 164. 

Frey, Col., 29. 

Gas Light Company, 101. 

Gov. Lewis, visit at Cooperstowu, 119 

Gregory Stephen, 84. 

Guild, Mr., 24. 

Hall, built, repaired, 45, 73. 

Hartwick, Mr. 11. 

Hassy, 47. 

Hat manufactory, 84.. 

Hausraan, -56. 

Hawley, Rev. Gideon, 87. 

Height above tide, 79. 

Horse boat, 139. 

Horses, 61, 68, 70, SI. 

Ice in the lake, 132. 

in 1796, 45. 
Incorporation, 59, 88. 
Indian rite, 83, 
Judges, county, resident, associate, 

147, US, 151. 
Keese, Theodore, 165. 
Kelley, Levi, 140. 
Lake, 125 

Lake and shores, 77. 
Lakelands, 44. 
Lakewood Cemetery, 170. 
Lawyeis, first, &c., 32, 67, 83. 
Le Quoy, F. Z., 35, 37. 
Letters in P. O. io 1795, 42. 
Library, first, 46. 
Library, first, 57. 
License to sell merchandise, 121. 
McCraney, Mrs., 146. 
McDonald, Rev. Jno., 49. 
McNamara, Patrick, 146, 
McNaniee, Lawrence, 163. 
Market, 59. 
Masons, 46, 58, 118. 
Medical society, 116. 
Merchants, 37. 
Militia, first, 63. 
Miller, 25. 

Miscellaneous items, 103, 173. 
Morehouse, Elien B., 73. 
Mount Vision, 79. 
Murders and execution, 135. 
Music, 82. 

Navigation of Susquehanna, 123. 
Nelson, Hon. Samuel, 72 



Newspapers, 61, 83, 104. 
Oldest reeidents, 156. 
Omnium gatherum, 95. 
Otsego, meaning of, 12. 
. Herald, 41. 
township, 44. 

in 1821. 95. 
Phinney, Hon. Elihu, 62, 157, 

Henry and Elihu, 159. 

H.F. and Elihu, jr., 162. 
Physicians, first, 33, 83. 
physicians in 1862, 156. 
Pic Nics, 1.30. 
Pierstown. 173. 
Pomt, Three Mile, 131. 
Pomeroy, George, 164. 
Post office, 49, 103. 
Prentiss, John H., 168. 
Printing, Phinney's, 84.. 
Provost judgment, 62. 
Recruiting, 62. 
Red Lion, 31. 
Relief for Ireland, 172. 
Keligious instruction, 38. 
Road, first, 43. 
Schools, 3S, 82. 
Seminary, 111. 

Sermon, Thanksgiving, first, 43. 
Sewing school, 115. 
Shipman, the Leatherstocking, 28. 
Site of the village, 11. 
Skating, .33. 
Slavery, 171. 
Small pox, 38. 
Society, village, 80. 
Staging, 102. 
State road, 44. 
Store, first, 30. 
Stores, 61. 
Stowell, James, 154. 
Streets, 74. 
Tannery, 84. 
Telegraph, 102. 

Temperance organization, 172. 
Tenth ol Jnne, 1S09, 120. 
Van Buren's visit. 121. 
Village in 1792, 35. 

in 1812, 60. 

location, houses, &c., 76. 

trade, 82. 

to be like those in England, 86. 

of Otsego, 89. 
Villas, 80. 

Vansice, Mr. and Mrs , 164. 
Walks, 102. 
Washington lives, 110. 
Wa.shinyton's visit, 13, 88. 
Water works, 75, 102. 
Whipping post, 42. 
Williams^ Hon. Isaac, 174, 
Woodside, 73. 



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